Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin has stressed the need for enhancing the human resources capacity for Bangladesh’s graduation to a developing economy.

“Bangladesh is committed to ensuring dispute resolution in the framework of security and predictability in the multilateral trading system. We need to increase the capacity of our business organisations and human resources for the LDC transition,” he said.

The adviser was speaking at a programme as a chief guest at the ‘National Workshop on WTO Dispute Settlement’ held at a hotel in Dhaka on Tuesday.

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He also said that Bangladesh is set to graduate from the LDC category in November 2026, which is a significant milestone in the economic journey. “This transition will open up numerous opportunities, it necessitates strengthening the capacity of business organisations and human resources to maximise benefits,” he said.

“As we move forward, Bangladesh will engage in bilateral and multilateral negotiations to establish Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA) and our relations with regional trade organisations such as the EU, SASEC, and ASEAN will deepen,” he added.

He further highlighted that the three-day workshop would enhance participants’ understanding of WTO rules and procedures, enabling them to apply this knowledge in their professional work.

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Commerce Secretary Mohang Selim Uddin, George Castro, Director of the Legal Affairs Division of the International Trade Organization and  Nazneen Kawsar Chowdhury, Additional Secretary of the WTO Wing of the Ministry of Commerce, were present there.

Officials of the commerce ministry and other government agencies and business leaders are participating in the three-day workshop.