“Bangladesh’s Preparedness for LDC Graduation and the Rationale for Extension of the Preparatory Period”, held on 2 July, 2026 at the NEC Conference Room in Dhaka.

The seminar was chaired by Hon’ble Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir and organized by the Economic Relations Division (ERD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It brought together representatives of foreign diplomatic missions, development partners, and other key stakeholders to discuss Bangladesh’s preparedness for graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, the progress of graduation-related initiatives, and the rationale for extending the preparatory period to ensure a smooth, sustainable, and irreversible transition.

Speaking at the seminar on behalf of BGMEA, Faisal Samad thanked the Government of Bangladesh for formally requesting the United Nations to defer the country’s graduation from LDC status by three years.

He highlighted several key concerns of the readymade garment sector, including the potential loss of preferential market access to the European Union after graduation, challenging surrounding GSP+ eligibility, the absence of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and capacity constraints in meeting the double transformation rules of origin.

He also emphasized the need for timely policy reforms and targeted support measures to address post-graduation challenges facing the garment industry. Stressing the importance of close collaboration between the government and the private sector, he underscored the need for a coordinated policy approach to safeguard the competitiveness of Bangladesh’s RMG industry and sustain its long-term growth.