Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) will be transformed into an effective, modern, and sustainable institution. Speaking at the 62nd board meeting of BFTI held at the Ministry of Commerce conference room on Tuesday, he said the institute would be developed to achieve financial independence and become a self-reliant knowledge center supporting the country’s international trade capacity.

The minister emphasized that Bangladesh must enhance its preparedness to face the complexities of global trade. To support this, a permanent expert panel will be formed under BFTI to assist in WTO dispute resolution, trade policy analysis, and bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations. The panel will include experienced trade experts, legal professionals, and researchers from both public and private sectors.

The meeting also recommended appointing a qualified Chief Executive Officer for BFTI and launching a postgraduate diploma program with University Grants Commission approval to develop skilled human resources in international trade, trade law, and policy research. Expanding research activities, strengthening training capacity, and building national and international research networks were also prioritized.