The new government’s move to seek a three-year deferment of Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category is, on the face of it, a prudent decision, one that numerous business leaders had been speaking of for years. While the allure of graduation is undeniable and signals to the world that Bangladesh’s economy is moving up, the reality is that graduation would also mean the loss of preferential trade benefits that have long sustained our export economy. With that said, prudence cannot mask the uncomfortable truth: Bangladesh’s lack of readiness for graduation is a bad look. Despite the prudence of the decision, questions arise as to why the previous interim government did not flag the challenges the country would face after graduation. Moreover, such a hesitation now risks projecting Bangladesh as a nation reluctant to embrace the responsibilities of its own progress.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 23, 2026 05:44 UTC