Minister for Information and Broadcasting Zahir Uddin Swapon, MP, today stressed the necessity of economy-friendly politics for Bangladesh's graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. He highlighted that without such a political framework, expert discussions on the challenges of LDC graduation and trade development would remain theoretical.
Addressing the Workshop
Swapon made these remarks while speaking at a workshop titled "LDC Graduation and Trade Competitiveness" organized by Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club in Dhaka.
Challenges Ahead
The Information Minister noted that trade-related challenges would not diminish but rather increase post-LDC graduation. He mentioned that the government has requested the United Nations to defer the graduation timeline until November 2029 to better prepare for these challenges.
Government's Priority
Swapon stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the current government is prioritizing economy-friendly politics. He emphasized the need for a coordinated roadmap to reform policies, reduce bureaucratic complexities, and boost export growth during the additional three years.
Implementation of Measures
The Minister also discussed the implementation of the 157 measures under the Smooth Transition Strategy prepared by the United Nations. He stressed the importance of determining which measures can be applied in Bangladesh's domestic context and how to develop human resources for the international market.
Democratic Environment
Recalling the democratic environment established through the July student-people mass uprising, Swapon said the government's main objective is to reform and repair the structural foundation of politics for the welfare of the people. He assured that the workshop's recommendations would be conveyed to the government's policy-making level.
Workshop Details
The workshop was chaired by RAPID Chairman Dr. M A Razzak and attended by Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) President Daulat Akter Mala and RAPID Executive Director and Dhaka University Professor Dr. M Abu Yusuf. Journalists and economic analysts from various media outlets participated in the event.
