A wide-ranging coalition of policymakers, economists, business leaders and civil society representatives has urged the government to formally request a deferral of Bangladesh’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, currently scheduled for 24 November 2026.

The call came during a roundtable titled ‘Bangladesh’s LDC Graduation: Between Readiness and Reality’, organised by the local think tank Change Initiative at the Sheraton Dhaka.

The discussion centred on the pressing need for a credible reassessment of Bangladesh’s preparedness for graduation, with stakeholders warning that proceeding under current circumstances could expose the country to serious economic and social risks.

While Bangladesh has technically met the criteria for graduation, participants highlighted deep institutional weaknesses, rising poverty risks, and growing global uncertainty as justifications for an urgent deferral.

The dialogue followed concerns raised in the United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) monitoring report, which pointed to eroded private sector confidence and insufficient progress in key structural areas.

Estiaque Bari, Head of Research at Change Initiative, presented a keynote paper in the event warning that 71.5 per cent of Bangladesh’s exports could be impacted post-graduation, with projected average tariff increases of 8.7 per cent in the EU, 9.1 per cent in the UK and up to 15.8 per cent in Japan—particularly in garments and footwear.

He also highlighted the likely loss of access to concessional finance and climate adaptation funds.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, ‘Bangladesh’s development story is built on manipulated data, broken institutions and a fragile export base. LDC graduation cannot rest on this foundation. Without democratic legitimacy, this transition lacks meaning.’

Zonayed Saki of Ganosamhati Andolan echoed the sentiment, arguing that the decision must be revisited through national dialogue and institutional reform.

Sadia Farzana Dina, Joint Chief Coordinator of the National Citizens’ Party, stressed the importance of transparency in national data, calling for regular audits and robust data governance.

Zakir Hossain Khan, Chief Executive of Change Initiative, said that proceeding without reform would be ‘not progress, but the postponement of accountability.’

He cited examples from other LDCs—such as Nepal, Angola and Myanmar—who sought delays or declined graduation due to similar concerns.

Mushtaq Khan, Professor of SOAS, University of London, warned that graduation would expose unprotected sectors like leather and food processing to intensified global competition.

‘We are not ready to compete with India and China without safeguards,’ he said.

Representing European business interests, Nuria Lopez, Chairperson of the EU Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh, stressed the risk of labour dislocation. ‘Graduating without a just transition plan could leave 2.5 million unskilled workers behind. We support graduation—but not under current conditions.’

Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Country Director Cynthia Mela described Bangladesh’s growth trajectory as an ‘illusion’, not yet grounded in reality.

AKM Sohel, Additional Secretary and Chief of the UN Wing at the Ministry of Finance, acknowledged that while Bangladesh has met all three LDC graduation thresholds, graduation must be built on resilient systems.

‘We’re not rejecting graduation,’ he said, ‘but seeking a cushion—time to solidify gains, close institutional gaps and preserve competitiveness.’