Refayet Ullah Mirdha

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.

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 yesterday sought the European Union’s support for deferring its graduation from the group of least developed countries.

Bangladesh has emphasised the need to reform the World Trade Organization (WTO), while cautioning that any such changes must not undermine the body’s fundamental principles.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir made the call at the beginning of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference on March 26 in Yaounde, Cameroon

The 14th WTO Ministerial Conference began yesterday with a call to uphold the multilateral trading system, as rising trade protectionism poses challenges to the free flow of global trade.

The prolonged high oil prices resulting from the Middle East conflict could lower the global trade forecast by 0.5 percentage points, from 1.9 percent to 1.4 percent, said the director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Okonjo-Iweala.

Bangladesh will prioritise bilateral trade negotiations, deferment of its graduation from least developed country (LDC) status, among other issues, at the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) 14th Ministerial Conference, which opens tomorrow in Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé.

Apparel exporter Doreen Garments Ltd has been struggling to collect $678,412 from US-based Zinntex LLC for a shipment delivered two years ago, prompting the supplier to file a lawsuit in an American court.

Bangladesh will use the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 14th ministerial conference in Cameroon next week to garner support for deferring its graduation from the group of least developed countries (LDCs), said officials familiar with the matter.

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has sought a date from Bangladesh for a hearing as part of the US’s twin investigations into trade and forced labour.

Some 138,392 workers of 180 ready-made garment factories at risk of failure to pay wages and bonuses before the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays could create labour unrest in different ways, the home ministry has warned.

Bangladesh leads global markets with over $5b in exports