Even as Bangladesh is all set to join the big league of developing nations soon, it has called for continuation of LDC-specific exemptions and flexibilities that are granted and made available under the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) provisions and rules for the LDCs post graduation.

Media reports maintained this adding Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen made this call during his recent meeting with the WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at her Geneva-based office even as he highlighted Bangladesh’s impressive development trajectory under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which has enabled Bangladesh to qualify for the LDC graduation in 2026.

The Bangladesh Foreign Minister further, reportedly, expressed concerns over possible negative impacts on the development momentum of the graduated countries if they lose the ISMs or international support measures even as he, reportedly, conveyed satisfaction for the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Council’s recent decision to allow the LDCs with exemption period until 1 July 2034 under TRIPS Article 66.1.