EU and G77 reaffirm their support for Bangladesh’s smooth and sustainable graduation from the LDC category

The European Union (EU) and the Group of 77 and China (G77) have reaffirmed their support for Bangladesh’s efforts to ensure a smooth, sustainable and irreversible graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.

The assurances were given during separate meetings at the United Nations Headquarters between Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir and EU Ambassador to the UN Stavros Lambrinidis, as well as G77 Chair and Uruguay’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Laura Dupuy Lasserre.

The minister was accompanied by State Minister for Planning Zonayed Saki, Economic Relations Division Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, Footwear, Leathergoods and Accessories Exporters’ Association of Bangladesh President Syed Nasim Manzur, and BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan.

During the meetings, Muktadir outlined Bangladesh’s request for a three-year extension to its LDC graduation preparatory period, citing the country’s ongoing economic and political transition, global uncertainties, energy challenges and the need to consolidate extensive structural reforms.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving governance, strengthening the financial sector, expanding infrastructure, boosting domestic resource mobilisation and creating a more investment-friendly business environment.

The minister said the additional time would help Bangladesh consolidate reforms, address infrastructure limitations, enhance industrial competitiveness and ensure that its LDC graduation is smooth, sustainable and irreversible.

Ambassador Lambrinidis praised the government’s commitment to good governance and sustainable development, welcomed the start of discussions on a Bangladesh-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and reiterated the EU’s continued support for Bangladesh’s graduation.

He also backed stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors to facilitate the transition.

Ambassador Lasserre, meanwhile, acknowledged the strength of Bangladesh’s case for an extension, welcomed the government’s pragmatic reform agenda and reaffirmed the G77’s support. She proposed holding a dedicated briefing for G77 member states on Bangladesh’s graduation strategy, an initiative welcomed by the Bangladesh delegation.

Following the meetings, Economic Relations Division Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky described the discussions with the EU delegation as highly productive, saying the EU had once again reaffirmed its support for Bangladesh’s smooth, sustainable and irreversible graduation from the LDC category.