LDC graduation to bring new opportunities, FBCCI president hopes


FE ONLINE DESK | Published: February 06, 2021 19:25:52 | Updated: February 11, 2021 09:07:14


LDC graduation to bring new opportunities, FBCCI president hopes

FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim has said Bangladesh would get new facilities in commerce graduating out of the least developed country (LDC).

Describing LDC graduation as a big achievement for the country, the FBCCI president said, "Foreign investment will be increased in Bangladesh and more employment opportunities will be created which will boost the economy by achieving the success."

Sheikh Fazle Fahim came up with the assertion while addressing at an online workshop titled “Effective Partnership with the Private Sector for Sustainable Graduation” organised by Support to Sustainable Graduation Project (SSGP) of Economic Relations Department on Saturday, according to a press release.

The FBCCI President admitted that Bangladesh may face some challenges on International Support Measures (ISM) -- which includes duty and quota free market access, preferential treatments, TRIPS etc -- after LDC graduation.

He said that FBCCI has taken a number of initiatives with the support of the international trade centre and international strategic partners to build the capacity of the private sector.

These initiatives include strengthening of trade support institutions, export competiveness and diversification of products and markets.

The apex trade body also outlined plans to work on no-tariff barriers, up gradation of value chains including in service, promoting digital economy, training on commercial diplomacy, trade and market intelligence, implementation of the trade facilitation agreement, supporting innovation, start-ups, and their ecosystem, sustainability and inclusive growth.

“Our capacity building activities will be taken integrating indigenous inputs with global standard knowledge and all chambers and associations will be included in this platform, he added.

Sheikh Fazle Fahim said the celebration of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Golden Jubilee of the country during LDC graduation period has become more meaningful, prestigious and colourful which was a dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Finance Minister A H M Mustafa Kamal joined the workshop as the chief guest. Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and Finance Division Senior Secretary Mr. Abdur Rouf Talukder spoke as the special guests on the occasion.

Commerce Ministry Secretary Md. Jafar Uddin, BGMEA President Dr. Rubana Huq, BAPI Senior Vice-President Mr. Abdul Muktadir and Research and Policy Integration for Development Chair Dr. Mohammad Abdur Razzaque spoke as the panellist.

Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs) under Prime Minister’s Office and Chair of National Task Force on LDC Graduation. Zuena Aziz presided over the workshop and Economic Relations Division Secretary Fatima Yasmin presented the key note.

Share if you like