REFAYET ULLAH MIRDHA

Although the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27 offers some measures that are aligned with the government’s Smooth Transition Strategy (STS) for LDC graduation, it lacks a dedicated framework with preparations for this watershed moment, which is due in November, experts said.

They added that the government should calculate how much money Bangladesh stands to lose after graduation and spell out concrete steps to compensate for those losses through measures like trade deals, export diversification, and competitiveness reforms.

According to official data, Bangladesh risks losing $17.5 billion in annual exports, as 73 percent of its shipments rely on LDC trade perks. Among all 44 LDCs, Bangladesh enjoys the highest proportion (67 percent) of the benefits extended under the scheme.

As per the budget, policy and financial support for pharmaceuticals, including investment in the API (active pharmaceuticals ingredients) Industrial Park, are specific to LDC graduation.

Initiatives to create an investment‑friendly environment, accelerate industrialisation, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), promote region‑based industrial development, expand

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