The United Nations’ mission on Least Developed Countries (LDC) graduation has requested a clear seven-year roadmap to guide Bangladesh’s preparation for a smooth transition out of the LDC category. The roadmap is intended to help the private sector understand how to make effective use of a proposed six-year preparation period.

The request came during a meeting with leaders of major export-oriented business organizations at the UN House in Gulshan, Dhaka on Monday. The meeting was led by Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), while the UN mission was represented by Ronald Mollerus, Acting Director of the UN LDC office. Other participants included heads and directors of leading trade associations, including BKMEA, Bangladesh Employers’ Federation, BTILMEA, and BTMF.

Mahmud Hasan Khan told reporters that the private sector informed the UN team that it is currently not fully prepared for LDC graduation. “Typically, countries receive three years of preparation post-graduation. We have requested an additional three years, totaling six years, plus the one year already available. The UN mission has asked for a clear roadmap for these seven years to understand how we can best use the time,” he said.

Business leaders also highlighted challenges such as declining export orders due to upcoming national elections, global trade instability, and coordination gaps in the graduation process. They recommended measures including introducing WTO-compliant alternative incentives, lowering bank interest rates, reintroducing the Export Development Fund (EDF), ensuring uninterrupted energy supply, improving logistics efficiency, regaining EU GSP Plus status, and negotiating free trade agreements with key partners.

The UN mission is scheduled to meet with the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday. The meeting, to be held in the Planning Commission’s NEC conference room, will be chaired by ERD Secretary Shahriar Qader Siddiqui and attended by representatives from all relevant ministries and divisions.