Bangladesh is preparing to roll out a five-year action plan to strengthen trade capacity, improve the investment climate and enhance competitiveness in global markets as the country moves toward graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.
The programme will be implemented through the Country Programme Document (CPD) under the third phase of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), a World Trade Organization (WTO)-led initiative that supports LDCs in building trade capacity and integrating into the global trading system.
Commerce Secretary Ataur Rahman Khan announced the initiative while addressing a validation workshop on the CPD at the Ministry of Commerce in Dhaka on Sunday.
He said Bangladesh’s economy is entering a crucial transition period as it prepares for LDC graduation, requiring the country to tackle challenges including non-tariff trade barriers, stricter international compliance standards and the need for a more attractive investment environment.
“The recommendations from the previous phases of the EIF have been incorporated into the Country Programme Document,” he said, adding that the document outlines 12 priority activities designed to support trade capacity development and key economic reforms.
Ataur Rahman stressed that the programme’s success would depend on effective implementation rather than policy formulation alone.
“Research and policy recommendations will not be enough unless they are translated into practical reforms. The document must provide a clear roadmap for implementation so that the benefits reach ministries, departments and implementing agencies at every level,” he said.
He also underscored the need to accelerate trade facilitation, trade liberalisation, legal and regulatory reforms and stronger inter-ministerial coordination to improve Bangladesh’s overall business and investment climate.
Speaking at the workshop, Additional Secretary (WTO) Khadiza Nazneen said the EIF is financed by development partners, including the United Kingdom, the European Union and Sweden, to help LDCs strengthen trade capacity and participate more effectively in international commerce.
She noted that Bangladesh had successfully completed the first phase of the programme between 2009 and 2015 and the second phase from 2016 to 2024.
“The third phase is expected to begin this year. Once the Country Programme Document is approved, Bangladesh will receive financial support for implementing the five-year programme,” she said.
Former Additional Secretary and EIF Consultant Md Hafizur Rahman said the CPD was prepared by incorporating recommendations from Bangladesh’s existing trade and industrial policies, export strategy and previous research.
Priority areas were identified based on the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS), the Export Policy, Industrial Policy, Trade Policy, the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and investment facilitation initiatives.
He said around 52 project concepts were initially proposed before being narrowed to 12 priority activities after considering implementation capacity and expected financial support from development partners.
The selected initiatives focus on expanding export capacity, improving trade facilitation, strengthening the investment climate, building institutional capacity, enhancing training and research, and promoting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in trade-related activities.
Additional Secretary (FTA) Ayesha Akter, Additional Secretary (IIT) Shibir Bichitra Barua, along with representatives from government agencies, ministries and stakeholder organisations, attended the workshop.
Participants expressed confidence that successful implementation of the third phase of the EIF programme would help Bangladesh preserve its competitiveness in international markets, diversify exports and attract greater foreign investment after its graduation from LDC status.
