Bangladesh Will Continue Receiving Technical and Financial Assistance After LDC Graduation: WTO

WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang said in an online interview that Bangladesh will still be able to access WTO technical assistance and training programs post-graduation. Currently, Bangladesh benefits from various WTO initiatives.

He added that the WTO, in partnership with other international organizations, strengthens the trade capacity of developing economies. Bangladesh is a leading country in utilizing the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), which enables LDCs to actively participate in global trade. Bangladesh will continue to benefit from this for another five years after graduation.

With WTO support, Bangladesh has enhanced its capacity in food processing and developed strategies for diversifying the value chain in the ready-made garment sector. Additionally, through the Aid for Trade Initiative, Bangladesh was among the top ten beneficiaries from 2006 to 2023, receiving $23 billion in assistance.

Zhang emphasized that after LDC graduation, Bangladesh will need to adjust its WTO participation strategy, forming strategic coalitions with other developing member countries. Bangladesh has been a WTO member since 1995 and continues to explore strategies for remaining competitive in global trade, including export diversification and regional agreements such as RCEP.

Graduation presents both new challenges and opportunities for Bangladesh to expand trade and achieve progress in global competition.