LDC-specific int'l supports likely to decline: Dr Anisuzzaman

FE REPORT | Published: September 16, 2025 23:26:37

LDC-specific international support measures (ISMs) may decline in the coming years due to the changing global economic situation, warned Dr. Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the interim government.
Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on "LDC Graduation and Structural Transformation" on
Tuesday, he urged Bangladesh to reduce its reliance on LDC-specific ISMs and take preparations to stay competitive after graduation.
The event was organised by the Support to Sustainable Graduation Project (SSGP) of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) at the NEC-2 Conference Room in the capital, according to a press release.
ERD Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky chaired the seminar, which brought together policymakers, private sector leaders, and development partners to discuss strategies for a smooth transition as Bangladesh is set to graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category on November 24, 2026.
Dr. Chowdhury cautioned that even if Bangladesh remained an LDC, global economic constraints would make it difficult to continue receiving special support measures. "We must prepare ourselves to maintain our competitive edge without depending on LDC-specific benefits," he stressed.
He urged the private sector to raise wages for industrial workers while investing in skills development to increase productivity. Additionally, he highlighted the need for exploring cheap and eco-friendly energy sources to help export-oriented industries meet global compliance standards.
Bangladesh's Smooth Transition Strategy (STS) provided a roadmap that needed to be implemented effectively, he added.
Delivering the keynote paper, Dr. Zulfan Tadjoeddin, Associate Professor at Western Sydney University, identified geopolitical tensions, trust deficits, and democratic challenges as major barriers to structural transformation in South and Southeast Asian LDCs.
He called for economic and social reforms, citizen empowerment, and better governance to overcome low productivity and navigate geopolitical complexities.
Additional ERD Secretary and SSGP Project Director A. H. M. Jahangir delivered the welcome address.
The seminar also featured a panel discussion with notable participants including CPD Distinguished Fellow Professor Mustafizur Rahman, BIDS Research Director Dr. Kazi Iqbal, and SSGP Project Adviser Abdul Baki taking part in it.
Private sector representatives, including BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan and LFMEAB President Syed Nasim Manzur called for deferring LDC graduation by three years to better prepare for post-graduation challenges.
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