Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has urged all relevant authorities to accelerate efforts and take strategic precautions to ensure Bangladesh’s smooth transition from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.
“We have already made the decision regarding LDC graduation. Now we must move at full speed,” the Chief Adviser was quoted as saying by his Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Monday.
The remarks followed a high-level meeting held earlier in the day at the Chief Adviser’s Office, where experts and officials gathered to discuss the roadmap for post-graduation stability and success.
According to Shafiqul Alam, the Chief Adviser emphasized the importance of maximizing benefits during the graduation period, while ensuring no sector of the country faces negative impacts.
Professor Yunus also expressed confidence in Bangladesh’s potential to emerge as a regional manufacturing and economic hub, adding that efforts must be made to build on this momentum once the country exits the LDC category.
Describing this period as “very critical,” Yunus called for the establishment of a dedicated team to continuously monitor progress and mitigate any risks that may arise during the transition.
Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Dr Anisuzzaman Chowdhury also briefed reporters, noting that all necessary precautionary measures have been identified and are in the process of implementation.
Drawing comparisons to other countries that graduated from LDC status under more challenging circumstances, Chowdhury said, “We must remain confident. We believe there will be no major disruptions, but we are preparing nonetheless.”
He added that Bangladesh is working to establish a robust trade negotiation body, addressing the absence of such an institution, which will be crucial in the post-LDC context.
Responding to questions about international engagement, Dr Chowdhury confirmed that Bangladesh continues to pursue active economic diplomacy, though many aspects of such efforts cannot be publicly disclosed.
He stressed the need to view LDC graduation as an opportunity for advancement, rather than a challenge to fear.
Bangladesh is expected to officially graduate from the LDC category in November 2026.
