LDCs demand ignored in WTO: CPD for forming separate cell to protect BD’s interests

Staff Reporter :
The government should form a separate and dedicated cell to exclusively discuss and protect Bangladesh’s interests in the international trade forums as the issues raised by the least developed countries were ignored in the 12th WTO ministerial conference, experts said.
They also suggested shifting from choice-driven competition to efficiency and productivity-driven competition to make sustainable export performance as around 90 per cent export-oriented benefits will be suspended.
The experts came up with the remarks at a discussion organized by the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) at a city hotel on Sunday. Prof Dr Mustafizur Rahman, Fellow at CPD, said, “The countries, graduating from LDCs to developing countries, will become weaker due to the neglect by developed countries in the last ministerial conference held in Geneva last June.”
“The issues raised by the least developed countries (LDCs) were not given priority. The important agendas for developed and rich countries were prioritized in the conference,” he said.
So, Bangladesh will lose many benefits including 90 per cent of export-oriented facilities after the transition from the LDC, he said “Overcoming the adverse situation, the manufacturers need to be shifted from choice-driven competition to efficiency and productivity-driven competition to make sustainable export performance,” Dr Mustafizur suggested.
The government also should form a separate and dedicated cell to exclusively discuss and protect Bangladesh’s interests in the international trade forums, he added.
Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow at CPD, said, “The countries which have earlier graduated from the LDC are small countries in terms of population and economy size. But, Bangladesh’s position is large in terms of economy and population.”
“Bangladesh is the only country which has properly utilized the opportunities available as an LDC. The country has increased exports using preferential market facilities,” he added.
“On the other hand, the announcement of the MC-12 mentioned several challenges for the countries after graduation. But no promise was made to overcome these,” he added.
Dr Debapriya further said, “The countries, graduating from the LDCs, will be weaker due to the neglect by the developed countries. So, we have to bring changes in our mentality.”
“Priority should be given to issues related to regional cooperation and bilateral trade agreements,” he added.
Lawmaker Yusuf Abdullah Harun, Member of the Commercial affairs Parliamentary Committee, said, “We have to take preparation from now as the country’s export-oriented sector will be affected after the graduation of the LDC.”
FBCCI President Md Jasim Uddin and Commerce Ministry Sectary Tapan Kanti Ghosh, among others, spoke at the discussion.