The European Union (EU) and the Group of 77 and China (G77) have reaffirmed their support for Bangladesh’s efforts to ensure a smooth, sustainable and irreversible graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.

According to a government statement issued on Friday, the assurances came during separate meetings at the United Nations headquarters between Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir and EU Ambassador to the UN Stavros Lambrinidis, as well as G77 and China Chair and Uruguay’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Laura Dupuy Lasserre.

The Bangladesh delegation included Planning Adviser Jonaed Saki, Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, LFMEAB President Syed Nasim Manzur, and BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan.

During the meetings, the commerce adviser explained Bangladesh’s request for a three-year extension to its LDC graduation preparatory period, citing the country’s ongoing economic and political transition, global economic uncertainty, and energy-related challenges.

He said the additional time would help consolidate structural reforms, strengthen governance, improve the financial sector, expand infrastructure, mobilise domestic resources, and create a more investment-friendly business environment. The extension would also enhance industrial competitiveness and support a smooth, sustainable and irreversible graduation process, he added.

Ambassador Lambrinidis praised Bangladesh’s commitment to good governance and sustainable development. He welcomed the launch of discussions on a Bangladesh-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and reaffirmed the EU’s continued support for the country’s LDC graduation. He also stressed the importance of stronger public-private sector cooperation to facilitate the transition.

Ambassador Lasserre described Bangladesh’s case for extending the preparatory period as compelling and welcomed the government’s pragmatic reform agenda. She reaffirmed the G77’s continued support and proposed a separate briefing for G77 member states on Bangladesh’s LDC graduation strategy, a proposal welcomed by the Bangladesh delegation.

Following the meetings, ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky described the discussions with the EU delegation as highly productive and said the bloc had reiterated its commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s smooth, sustainable and irreversible transition from LDC status.