Strengthening Bangladesh’s Trade Negotiators for the Digital Era

Empowering Bangladesh’s Trade Negotiators to Navigate the Digital Economy and Post-LDC Transition

September 3, 2025

Knowledge Sharing Workshop of the Trade Negotiators Pool (TNP) was held in Dhaka under the UK Government-funded Transformative Economic Policy Programme Phase II (TEPP-II), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce.

©UNDP Bangladesh

As the world economy becomes increasingly digital, services trade is emerging as a central driver of growth and opportunity. For Bangladesh, harnessing this potential is crucial; not only to expand global market access but also to secure the country’s position as it prepares to graduate from LDC status. Strengthening the skills and knowledge of trade negotiators has therefore become a strategic priority.

That urgency brought 52 members of the Trade Negotiators Pool together in Dhaka on 26 August 2025 for a day-long workshop under the UK-funded Transformative Economic Policy Programme (TEPP) Phase II, implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce.

The workshop was led by Professor Dr. Henry Gao of Singapore Management University, Singapore, whose expertise greatly enriched the learning experience.

©UNDP Bangladesh

Led by Professor Dr. Henry Gao of Singapore Management University, the workshop offered participants practical and technical insights into trade in services and digital trade. Officials delved into the complexities of WTO rules, commitments under trade agreements, and the challenges of classifying market access and national treatment restrictions. Using Bangladesh’s own WTO schedule as a case study, participants explored the four modes of supply, weighed positive versus negative listing approaches, and engaged actively in exercises and quizzes that brought real-world trade scenarios to life. Sessions on digital trade including cross-border data flows, cybersecurity, and consumer protection sparked lively discussions, reflecting the participants’ curiosity about how technology shapes global commerce.

Mr. Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary of the Export Wing at the workshop

©UNDP Bangladesh

For the Ministry of Commerce, the focus was clear. “As Bangladesh prepares for graduation from LDC status, building negotiation skills is not just important; it is essential,” said Secretary Md. Mahbubur Rahman. His colleague, Additional Secretary Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, called the Trade Negotiators Pool “a continuous journey,” underscoring the value of building skills steadily over time.

From the development side, UNDP’s Country Economic Adviser, Owais Parray, reminded participants that digital trade already accounts for more than half of global service exports, with Bangladesh’s e-commerce market reaching USD 9 billion in 2024. That perspective helped link the technical discussions to the country’s broader economic ambitions.

Mr. Tanvir Ahmed, Senior Governance Specialist at UNDP, stressed the importance of institutional mechanisms, mentoring, and knowledge management systems to ensure continuity in negotiations.

©UNDP Bangladesh

In the closing session, Tanvir Mahmud, UNDP Senior Governance Specialist, emphasized the importance of institutional mechanisms, mentoring, and knowledge management systems to ensure continuity and sustainable negotiation capacity. UNDP and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to developing advanced programmes, long-term training calendars, and standard operating procedures to support negotiators beyond a single workshop.

By combining practical exercises, interactive learning, and institutional support, the workshop not only strengthened officials’ technical knowledge but also fostered a sense of shared purpose and readiness. It reaffirmed the collective role of government, civil society, the private sector, and development partners in building a skilled negotiation cadre capable of ensuring that trade in services and digital commerce contributes meaningfully to Bangladesh’s sustainable development goals.