Staff reporter :
The United Nations has agreed to support an independent assessment of Bangladesh’s readiness to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, according to a statement from the Chief Adviser’s Office.
The decision came after a formal request from the interim government.
UN Under-Secretary-General Rabab Fatima, who also serves as the High Representative for the LDCs, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States, conveyed the commitment during a meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in New York on Monday.
The readiness review is expected to start within a month and conclude by mid-January.
It will be carried out jointly by an international consultant and a Bangladeshi expert to ensure a balanced and comprehensive evaluation.
According to the statement, the assessment will involve wide-ranging consultations with stakeholders, including government officials, business chambers, civil society leaders, development specialists, donors, financial institutions, and political representatives.
The objective is to gauge whether Bangladesh is sufficiently prepared for the transition and to identify potential risks.
Chief Adviser Yunus welcomed the initiative, stressing the importance of basing such a crucial decision on evidence rather than sentiment. “It has become an emotional issue,” he noted, underscoring the need for objective data to guide policymaking.
Fatima pointed out that the UN’s latest economic data on Bangladesh are more than two years old. “A lot has changed since then,” she said, highlighting the urgency of updating the country’s economic profile before finalising graduation measures.
Yunus also flagged concerns about the future of Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry, which has benefited significantly from the trade preferences associated with LDC status.
Without adequate safeguards, he warned, graduation could expose the sector to new competitive pressures in global markets.
The upcoming assessment is expected to provide policymakers with a clearer picture of the country’s readiness and the steps needed to secure a smooth transition.
