Bangladesh needs preferential trade terms beyond 2026, PM says

TOKYO -- Bangladesh last year gained United Nations recognition to move from "least developed country" (LDC) status to "developing country" in 2026, although Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is asking for extended assistance from OECD countries beyond that time frame.

"We have urged through the U.N. mechanism to our friends and partners to consider extending preferential facilities to Bangladesh for an extended period beyond 2026," Hasina said in a prerecorded speech during Nikkei's Future of Asia conference on Friday.