Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has urged the continuation of special support measures for a defined period after countries graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category to help maintain economic stability.
Speaking on the third day of the ongoing WTO Ministerial Conference, the minister participated in various thematic sessions and emphasised Bangladesh’s position on key global trade issues, including WTO reforms.
He also called for the adoption of an LDC graduation-related package at MC14 to support countries like Bangladesh in the post-graduation phase.
Muktadir stressed the importance of ensuring an effective, predictable, and rules-based dispute settlement system, called for the prompt restoration of a fully functional two-tier dispute settlement mechanism, including the revival of the Appellate Body, noting that a strong and impartial system is essential to safeguard the interests of developing and LDC countries.
On fisheries subsidies, the minister highlighted that Bangladesh’s contribution to harmful subsidies is close to zero, while major fishing nations account for the bulk, urged stricter discipline on harmful subsidies alongside ensuring Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) for developing and LDC countries.
He also called for full exemption for small-scale and marginal fishers to ensure fairness and sustainability.
At the conference, Bangladesh announced its accession as the 129th member to the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement, marking its first participation in a plurilateral agreement under the WTO framework.
The minister expressed hope that this move would improve Bangladesh’s investment climate and send a positive signal to foreign investors.
The step was welcomed by several partners, including the European Union, Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong.
On agriculture, Muktadir underscored the sector’s critical role in ensuring food security, livelihoods, and poverty reduction, called for the swift resolution of long-standing issues such as public stockholding, special safeguard mechanisms, and trade-distorting subsidies by developed countries. He reiterated that S&DT must remain central to agricultural negotiations.
Reaffirming Bangladesh’s strong support for the LDC package, the minister emphasized the importance of a smooth and sustainable transition, said special benefits should continue for a specified period after graduation to help maintain economic stability and urged adoption of the package at MC14.
Bangladesh also supported extending the moratorium on non-violation and situation complaints (NVSCs) under the TRIPS Agreement until the next ministerial conference. The minister noted that such complaints could undermine policy space for developing countries, particularly in areas like public health and education, and called for a permanent solution.
He further said WTO reform efforts must be grounded in its core principles of transparency, inclusiveness, and fairness, adding that adherence to these values would help preserve trust and credibility in the multilateral trading system.
The minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to a fair, inclusive, and development-oriented multilateral trading system, expressing hope that MC14 outcomes would guide future reforms while ensuring the interests of developing and LDC countries are protected.