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Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Monday stressed the need for economy-friendly politics to ensure Bangladesh’s smooth graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, saying policy discussions alone would not be enough without effective political leadership.
Speaking at a workshop titled “LDC Graduation and Trade Competitiveness”, organised by the Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) at the National Press Club, the minister said practical political initiatives are essential to translate expert recommendations into tangible public benefits.
“All discussions by experts on the challenges of LDC graduation and the development of trade and commerce will remain theoretical unless the country’s politics is brought within an economy-friendly framework,” he said.
Swapon noted that Bangladesh’s trade challenges are expected to intensify after graduation from the LDC category rather than diminish. He said the government has requested the United Nations to defer the graduation timeline until November 2029 to allow more time for preparation.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government is giving the highest priority to economy-friendly politics,” he said.
The minister observed that while Bangladesh faces relatively fewer trade barriers in markets such as the United Kingdom and Australia, significant challenges remain in many other export destinations.
He said the additional three years sought before LDC graduation should be utilised to formulate a coordinated roadmap for policy reforms, removing bureaucratic bottlenecks and boosting export competitiveness.
Swapon also called for a comprehensive review of the 157 measures outlined in the United Nations’ Smooth Transition Strategy to determine which could be effectively implemented in Bangladesh. He emphasised the importance of developing skilled human resources through state initiatives and expanding overseas employment to strengthen the country’s export earnings.
Recalling the July student-led mass uprising, he said the democratic environment achieved through the movement and the sacrifices of its martyrs had created an opportunity to reform the country’s political structure for the welfare of the people.
“The main objective of the government formed through an acceptable election is to reform and rebuild the structural foundation of politics in the interest of the people,” he said.
Swapon assured participants that the recommendations and proposals emerging from the workshop would be conveyed to the government’s policy-making level for consideration.
The workshop, chaired by RAPID Chairman Dr M A Razzak, was attended by Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) President Daulat Akter Mala, RAPID Executive Director and Dhaka University Professor Dr M Abu Yusuf, along with journalists, economists and policy analysts.
