The government is set to hold a high-level national multi-stakeholder consultation to assess Bangladesh's progress towards graduating from the Least-Developed Country (LDC) category, sources said.
The consultation comes at a critical juncture, as Bangladesh has recently sought to defer its final graduation timeline by three years, shifting the target date from 2026 to 2029.
The consultation will be held on April 5 at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.
The event follows the submission of a "Graduation Readiness Assessment" report by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS).
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury is expected to attend the event as the chief guest.
Foreign Minister, Commerce Minister, Prime Minister's Adviser on Finance and Planning, and UN Under-Secretary-General Rabab Fatima are slated to join as special guests.
Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), will chair the session.
Officials said the consultation will review key findings of the UN report and help formulate a coordinated national strategy to ensure a smooth transition from the LDC status.
Graduation from the LDC category marks a major development milestone, reflecting improvements in income, human assets and reduced economic vulnerability.
However, it also entails the gradual withdrawal of certain trade facilities and concessional financing.
The upcoming dialogue aims to bring together representatives from government, private sector and development partners to address potential challenges and opportunities arising from the transition.
The ERD is leading the initiative with emphasis on devising "smooth transition strategies" to sustain economic growth after graduation.
Relevant stakeholders have been requested to participate in the consultation to ensure a broad-based and effective policy discussion. By requesting a transition in November 2029 instead of November 2026, the government has sought to maintain "Everything But Arms" (EBA) and other GSP facilities in major markets like the EU for an extended window, navigate the current volatility in foreign exchange reserves and global supply chain disruptions and ensure that local industries are fully prepared for the loss of certain international subsidies and concessional financing, an official of the finance ministry said.
He, however, said the ERD spearheads the preparation, with a focus on "Smooth Transition Strategies". The upcoming consultation is expected to address how the three-year extension will be utilised to strengthen the country's economic resilience. While Bangladesh has consistently met the UN's technical criteria for graduation-covering income per capita, human assets, and economic vulnerability-the government has opted for a more cautious approach.
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