UNCTAD keen to support BD reform drive

The UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has said it will support Bangladesh's reform drive. This came as Chief Advisor's Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi held a series of bilateral meetings in Switzerland's Geneva this week.

He met UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary General Rebeca Grynspan at her office on November 4. They discussed UNCTAD's contribution to thought leadership and agenda-setting at the intersection of trade and development, a spokesperson for the Chief Advisor's office said on Thursday.

Grynspan expressed her office's readiness to enhance cooperation and technical assistance for Bangladesh during its reform journey, including implementing the Debt Management and Financial Analysis System (DMFAS) platform and upgrading the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) used by the Bangladesh customs.

Siddiqi also met Xiangchen Zhang, deputy director general at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), on November 5. They discussed possible avenues to enhance south-south dialogue and the WTO's possible support in smoothening Bangladesh's graduation from the least developed country (LDC) status.

The special envoy had a meeting with Daren Tang, director general at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), on November 6 at the latter's office. They discussed the constructive role of a developed SOAP ecosystem in attracting foreign investment and fostering diversified exports from Bangladesh. Tang said the WIPO stood ready to support Bangladesh and provide effective technical cooperation for intellectual property development.

Siddiqi was in Geneva as part of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) delegation, led by Law Advisor Asif Nazrul and Labour Advisor Asif Mahmud.

Earlier, the group met ILO Director General Gilbert F Houngbo, who expressed support and optimism for Bangladesh's reform agenda.

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