Refayet Ullah Mirdha

Bangladesh cited gaps in readiness, incomplete core reforms, and economic fallout from the Iran war as reasons for seeking an extension of the transition period for graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category by three more years at the public hearing of the UNCDP on April 29.

Commerce minister attended the virtual hearing with UNCDP chair, held on April 29

Says UN report, citing steep US tariffs, falling export orders and regional supply chain disruption across Asia-Pacific economies

Citing three major economic challenges, the government has prepared its position paper ahead of a United Nations hearing on Bangladesh’s request to defer its graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category.

Citing three major economic challenges, the government has prepared its position paper ahead of a United Nations hearing on Bangladesh’s request to defer its graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category.

Bangladesh’s garment industry does not have overproduction capacity that could harm the American manufacturing sector and is free from forced labour, as exporters comply with internationally recognised labour laws, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

Soybean oil imports fell sharply during January-April this year compared to the same period last year, according to commerce ministry data.

The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), along with several other organisations, has urged the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the US government’s chief trade body, not to impose any new tariffs on countries currently under investigation over production capacity.

Unsold inventories push Western buyers towards 10% order cuts while energy shortages disrupt apparel production

The hearing on the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) twin investigations into alleged overcapacity in various sectors and forced labour in Bangladesh is scheduled for April 29, as the country prepares for it.

Bangladesh is hopeful of signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with South Korea within the year as the two sides are set to hold the third round of negotiations in Seoul today.

As major powers increasingly bypass multilateral rules, the WTO’s future hinges on whether political will can keep pace with geopolitical change

Bangladesh’s readiness for graduation from least developed country status in November this year has been undermined by domestic and international crises, a UN assessment warns, with the US-Israel war on Iran adding a new threat.

Bangladesh overtook China in garment exports to the United States during the January-February period of 2026, as China lost its top position amid the impact of American reciprocal tariffs, according to data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) released yesterday.

Bangladesh overtook China in garment exports to the United States during the January-February period of 2026, as China lost its top position amid the impact of American reciprocal tariffs, according to data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) released today.

Bangladesh’s merchandise export earnings fell for the eighth consecutive month in March, dropping 18 percent year-on-year (YoY) to $3.48 billion, largely owing to long Eid holidays and a turbulent global economy that continued to weigh on trade performance.

The 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded early yesterday with no significant agreements, except promises to continue working towards consensus on disputed issues among member countries.

Members debated key issues such as e-commerce and WTO reform over the last four days

Sixty-six World Trade Organization (WTO) member countries, representing 70 percent of global trade, have adopted a pathway to bring into force electronic commerce (e-Commerce) agreement through interim arrangements.

Bangladesh today sought continuation of the moratorium on non-violation and situation complaints (NVSCs) under the TRIPS Agreement until the next ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization, arguing that it will create flexibility in copy rights and patent rules for poorer countries.