President the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Md Saiful Islam has urged Sweden to help Bangladesh successfully face the challenges coming out of LDC graduation in 2026.
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Md Saiful Islam said this when Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh Alexandra Berg von Linde called on him at the Gulshan office of the MCCI on Thursday.
After coming out of the LDC graduation in 2026, Bangladesh may lose tariff concession, making its products expensive and highly competitive in the EU markets.
The MCCI president highlighted Bangladesh’s success over the years in its socio-economic development.
The president recounted the country’s excitement for qualifying to graduate to the developing country club in 2026.
“However, we are also worried about the challenges associated with sustainable graduation. Despite the ongoing pandemic, Bangladesh has been able to withstand the difficulties boldly due to prudent fiscal and other policy support rendered by the government during the last two years. I, therefore, sought Sweden’s support in Bangladesh’s sustainable graduation,” the MCCI president said.
The Swedish Ambassador lauded the visible improvement in women empowerment in Bangladesh. She specifically mentioned female participation in the active labour market, particularly in the readymade garment sector.
Sweden saw great potential in Bangladesh’s market and this has reflected in the successful operations of Swedish firms in Bangladesh, including that of the clothing giant H&M.
The ambassador also expressed that Sweden was ready to facilitate the environmental goals of the Swedish companies operating in Bangladesh.
The ambassador also praised Bangladeshi companies going green and expressed her desire to see Swedish green companies coming to Bangladesh.
The MCCI president handed over a few recent publications of MCCI that included a copy of Bangladesh Business Climate Index, a very recent publication that helps in assessing the country’s current business situation and also promotes its ‘ease of doing businesses’.
Finally, both sides unanimously agreed to have more frequent interactions and exchange of views.
