Commerce Minister Muktadir to seek three-year LDC graduation deferral

He says the ministry will coordinate with ERD to implement the plan

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has promised to start work immediately to postpone Bangladesh’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category by an additional three years.

Speaking at the Secretariat on Wednesday, his first official day in office, Muktadir made it clear that work on this extension begins immediately.

“We have begun work on this from [Wednesday]. We will do whatever is required to achieve that,” he said.

The minister, entered parliament for the first time, also holds the portfolios for the Ministry of Industries and the Ministry of Textiles and Jute.

Muktadir outlined the operational strategy for the delay, explaining that while the commerce ministry initiates the process, the Economic Relations Division (ERD) handles the formal correspondence.

He confirmed that his office will coordinate with the ERD to expedite the request.

Muktadir has served as an advispr to the BNP chairperson since 2016.

The new State Minister for Commerce Md Shariful Alam, meanwhile, is the central organising secretary of the BNP and the president of the Kishoreganj district unit.

He will assist Muktadir across all three ministries.