Dhaka's expectations from Cameroon WTO MC14

The global trade has reached over USD21 trillion contributed by all member countries where WTO plays critical role. The WTO's Ministerial Conference remains highly instrumental for economies across the world, especially for Bangladesh. As a member of the WTO, Bangladesh participates in a rule-based global trading system that has brought both positive and negative experiences over the years though Bangladesh owns a smallest pie of global trade. Although 13thMinisterial Conference has so far taken place, theoutcomes have not always translated into favourable benefits for Bangladesh as a least developed country.

 

 

Ideally, the WTO should be a consensus driven body to ensure the maximum benefits for larger number of members. However, on several occasions, differing positions among subgroups such as LDCs, emerging economies, and developing countries have influenced the WTO in ways that have weakened the spirit of genuine multilateral consensus. Alongside MC 13, many outcomes of previous conferences have not been fully implemented.

 

Bangladesh is one of the top beneficiaries of WTO International Support Measures (ISMs), including preferential treatment and other benefits that have helped Bangladesh to sustain its export competitiveness in many markets. Against this backdrop, the outcomes of the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), held in Abu Dhabi, carry significant relevance. MC13 renewed the moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions until MC14 and undertook to revitalise the E-Commerce Work Programme with a focus on bridging the digital divide.

 

 

It also introduced new disciplines to simplify domestic regulation in services, aiming to lower global trade costs, facilitate SMEs, and incorporate a first-ever commitment to gender equality in service-related procedures. Progress was made on environmental sustainability, including work on plastic pollution, fossil fuel subsidy reform, and circular economy initiatives. However, the conference did not reach agreement on agriculture, comprehensive fisheries subsidies disciplines, or the restoration of the WTO's dispute-settlement system, and these outcomes do not yield equally positive benefits for Bangladesh to any significant extent.

 

Amidst the debate of deferral of graduation, Bangladesh prepares for LDC graduation in 2026 while the upcoming MC14 in March 2026 in Cameroon, is very crucial. Although the agenda has not yet been clearly agreed, it is expected that unresolved issues from MC13, particularly fisheries subsidies, agriculture, and dispute settlement, will re-emerge. For Bangladesh, discontinuation of subsidies on fisheries and agriculture will be fatal for key stakeholders as these are vital sectors that safeguard a large portion of the population, especially marginalised groups.

 

 

There is a legacy of disagreement on agro and other issues in almost all MCs. These sectors require strong Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) provisions and caution against rules that may disproportionately burden small-scale producers. Equally important is the long-overdue restoration of the WTO dispute-settlement system, which has remained largely dysfunctional and must be revived to ensure predictable enforcement of trade rules. Bangladesh will also expect MC14 to reinforce non-discriminatory MFN-based market access and ensure that no unilateral or reciprocal tariff measures, particularly by developed economies which unfairly penalise its export.

 

Bangladesh is to address the NAMA as Bangladesh has higher stake into it. NAMA should be prioritised and protected through tariff and non-tariff free trade regime as it accounts for lion share of global trade. Doha Round of WTO was a milestone round as it focused on reduction of trade barriers for Least developed and developing countries. The spirit of this Doha round should be followed in Bangladesh. The core decisions or agreements are often ignored and obliterated in course of time.

 

Bangladesh must strongly articulate its major challenges in the areas of fisheries and agriculture, as these sectors are directly linked to the economic sustenance of large portion of the population, especially marginalised groups. The long-held defunct of WTO's dispute settlement system is another major concern, as it hinders the timely and effective resolution of international trade disputes of member countries. For graduating LDCs, including Bangladesh, some degree of transitional support should be extended, such as continued ISM benefits, preferential market access, and additional leverage for economies that are transitioning in a difficult global geoeconomic state. It is unrealistic to expect graduating economies to transform their economic structures overnight; therefore, Bangladesh may follow reduced tariffs, certain protective measures, and non-financial incentives such as tax relief, enhanced R&D facilities, innovation support, low-cost financing, and green financing options. Some key reforms of WTO are essential as reciprocal tariff undermining the rules of WTO has affected the global trading system triggering huge geoeconomic instability. This unilateral incidence and hegemony of any country should be fully removed.

 

Given Bangladesh's transition toward developing-country status, the country needs to advocate for non-discriminatory market access, preferential tariff benefits, and safeguard to prevent unilateral or reciprocal tariff measures that may disadvantage newly graduated economies. We have learnt that most of the graduate LDCs like Maldives, Bhutan, Vanuatu and Guinea have remained limited instead of remarkable economic progress.

 

 

Bangladesh requires continued LDC-specific flexibilities after graduation, preferably through a structured binding "Graduation Support Package" that extends preferences, protects against external shocks, and provides technical assistance to meet complex compliance requirements. Strong and related S&DT provisions in fisheries, agriculture, and other negotiations remain indispensable, with longer transition periods, reduced obligations, enhanced technical and financial support until economy becomes largely sustainablelater graduates.

 

Furthermore, most LDCs, including Bangladesh, face persistent food security challenges, making the continuation of food subsidies essential. The moratorium on e-commerce duties could also be extended until the ICT sector develops stronger. Economic vulnerability remains a significant concern for graduating economies, as the Economic Vulnerability Index directly affects the other two LDC graduation criteria: the Human Asset Index and Per-capita income. If vulnerability is not effectively addressed, it may undermine progress in these criteria and macroeconomic performance. Therefore, Bangladesh must approach MC14 negotiations by prioritizing issues that safeguard national trade interests and support local industry.

 

Taking Bangladesh's broader socio-economic context into account, its negotiation agenda for MC14 must prioritize the private sector local industries, diversified export sectors, and marginalised communities. Protecting these groups will help ensure a smooth, inclusive transformation later LDC graduation that upholds sustainable development theme leaving no one behind.

 

 

The writer is a macroeconomic policy analyst & researcher