An opinion article by Chittagong University economics professor Dr Mohammad Saiful Islam says Bangladesh has formally asked the United Nations General Assembly to remain in the least developed country category for three more years. Bangladesh had been due to graduate from LDC status on November 24 this year under three UN criteria, but the article says the country has not completed the preparations needed for transition to upper-middle-income status.
The article contrasts the request with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s 2021 declaration that Bangladesh had become a developing country. It alleges that many economic indicators presented by the previous government were inaccurate, citing interim government finance adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed’s criticism of statistical manipulation. It says Bangladesh’s export base remains heavily dependent on ready-made garments, which account for about 82 percent of export earnings.
According to the article, graduation could end duty-free export preferences, pharmaceutical-sector TRIPS benefits, concessional lending and foreign grants. It cites estimates of average annual export losses of $17.5 billion and says Bangladesh plans revenue and financial-sector reforms during the requested extension. If planned measures are implemented, the article says Bangladesh could take on developing-country status in November 2029.
ড. মোহাম্মদ সাইফুল ইসলাম প্রকাশ : ২২ আগস্ট ২০২৬, ১০: ০৮আপডেট : ২২ আগস্ট ২০২৬, ১০: ০৮ সাধারণ নাগরিক হিসেবে যেকোনো ব্যক্তি নিজেকে উন্নত দেশের বাসিন্দা কল্পনা করতে ভালোবাসবেন, এটিই স্বাভাবিক। কিন্তু বাংলাদেশকে উন্নত দেশের কাতারভুক্ত হতে হলে দীর্ঘ পথ পাড
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