TDS Desk:

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday called for urgent and coordinated action from all relevant agencies to ensure Bangladesh’s smooth and timely graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.

He made the remarks during a high-level meeting with the LDC Graduation Committee held at the State Guest House Jamuna, where progress on key deliverables was reviewed.

“This whole thing is about coordination. We already have the attention and support of investors, funders, and development partners. Now, we must build on the efforts already underway and intensify our collective action to move forward with speed and purpose,” the Chief Adviser said.

Emphasising the importance of institutional readiness, Prof Yunus called on all stakeholders to move in unison.

“We need a team that functions like firefighters. When the whistle blows, they must respond—fast, efficiently and without delay and stay at the problem until it is solved,” he said.

He assured that the Chief Adviser’s Office will take an active role in overseeing the process. “The highest office of the government will personally monitor the implementation of all graduation-related initiatives.”

During the meeting, the LDC Graduation Committee identified five priority actions that must be completed on an urgent basis: Those are:

1. Full operationalisation of the National Single Window with participation from all relevant agencies.
2. Implementation of the National Tariff Policy, 2023 through a clear action plan.
3. Execution of key measures under the National Logistics Policy, 2024, including infrastructure projects.
4. Operational readiness of the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) at Savar Tannery Village, and
5. Full-scale operation of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Park in Gajaria, Munshiganj.

“These aren’t just routine tasks—we need to see them as key steps, each one helps clear the way for our graduation and builds a stronger, fairer economy for everyone,” the Chief Adviser added.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Dr Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, attended the meeting, alongside members of the LDC Graduation Committee and policy advisers.