United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi has highlighted five key areas that Bangladesh needs to focus on to effectively address the challenge of LDC graduation, acknowledging that the fact of graduation is unavoidable. "So, what do we need to do? Acknowledge that the fact of graduation is unavoidable. Even if it is delayed by a couple of years, it does not change our book of work," he said while delivering the keynote speech at the ILO Asia-Pacific Conference on Labour and LDC Issues in Bangkok on Tuesday. In fact, he said, the changing world-order of aid and tariffs in just the last few months should make it clear that there are fewer unilateral, non-reciprocal, unconditional favours out there. The Envoy said no-one will say: please enjoy these privileges, continue to access their markets, protect their own markets, and do whatever they like with labour, environmental or intellectual property standards. "The best we can do is to try to ensure a smooth transition as opposed to a sudden, “cliff switch” in our terms of trade," Siddiqi said. He not only acknowledged but also emphasised the importance of embracing the opportunities that come with graduation. Structural reforms too slow to meet needs: Lutfey Siddiqi "Remember, we have sound fundamentals in terms of people and location and we should be attracting considerable investments if we get this right. We are starting with a positive vision, a recipe for reforms, which should quickly move onto a time-bound roadmap of who needs to do what by when," Siddiqi said. He said they need to diversify exports and this will require more deliberate sales and marketing of existing products and building the capacity to make new products. The Envoy said creation of new products and industries will require new investment, especially foreign investment. "That in turn will require practical reforms in logistics, customs, ports, inland waterways, airports ... And that will require reforms in public administration - in the way the government operates - including nationwide digital processes that will formulate large parts of the informal sector," he mentioned. Siddiqi said they have to negotiate free trade agreements or economic partnership agreements with key countries so that they obtain friction-free access to their markets. Increasingly, he said, these agreements entail multiple chapters, comprehensively covering a wide range of topics beyond tariffs to include labour standards and movement of people. Siddiqi said skills and training needs urgent focus: targeted training to help workers and entrepreneurs to face competition and meet new demand in specialist areas. "I was actually in Japan last week partly to help conclude our first ever major FTA/EPA with them, but also to help establish a structured process through which we can send 100,000 skilled workers in targeted vocations over there," the Envoy said. He said their most important export markets - the European Union for example - will only extend preferential access to their markets (what’s known as GSP Plus) if they explicitly and verifiably upgrade the standards, especially labour standards. "Conversely, if we can demonstrate credible progress in the advancement of those standards, we are likely to receive a sympathetic ear when we ask for transitional privileges," Siddiqi said. In a post-uprising Bangladesh, the labour reforms agenda is a moral imperative, he said, adding that Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus’ government is committed to promoting dignity and decency in the workplace because that is the right thing to do, consistent with our values and our mandate. Govt working with ILO for decent condition of labours in EPZs: Lutfey Siddiqi "For the first time in history, we stood up a national-level Labour Reform Commission alongside the fundamental commissions looking at constitutional, parliamentary or judiciary reforms," Siddiqi said. And these are being taken through a consensus-building process with all political parties ahead of the elections, he said. The business community supports the government's labour reforms agenda for their own enlightened self-interest: the fact that it has a direct bearing on their access to export markets. "Sure, we’re nervous about possible risks in execution and implementation. But let’s be clear: negotiating an extension to LDC graduation or negotiating favourable post-LDC terms will not be easy for a song as we have an Article 26 complaint hanging over us at the ILO governing board," Siddiqi said. "The good news is that we expect to have completed the bulk of our obligations under the roadmap agreed with the ILO: both in terms of legislation and in the conduct of labour relations," he said. Siddiqi said the three Rs that guide his approach every day. "We have to put rights, relations and resilience at the centre of everything that we do. Please wish us luck!."

Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi has said post-uprising Bangladesh must approach meaningful labour reforms with greater confidence, speed and accountability than ever before, with unprecedented levels of social dialogue. "This is not only a moral obligation from the perspective of governance and human rights, it is imperative for the enlightened self-interest of our business community for favourable terms of access to key markets," he said.   The issues were discussed when European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller met him on Wednesday. Made ‘dramatic progress’ on labour reforms: Lutfey Siddiqi tells foreign diplomats "It was a pleasure to catch up on this and other issues with EU Ambassador Michael Miller when he called on me yesterday (Wednesday). We’re grateful for his support," Siddiqi said. "I’m looking forward to meeting a delegation of EU parliamentarians next month," said the Special Envoy in a post from his verified Facebook account on Thursday.

Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi on Saturday stressed the urgency of structural reforms within government agencies, stating that the current pace of reform is too slow to meet the nation’s needs. “There is no long-term roadmap for key sectors, including industry, which is frustrating. Alongside institutional reforms, better coordination among government agencies is essential,” he said while addressing a seminar titled ‘Bangladesh’s Import-Export Policy: Requirements and Challenges in the Post-LDC Era’ organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). Highlighting the importance of seamless port operations, Siddiqi added that all ports are the lifelines of the economy and “the private sector is the main driver of our economy, so their [businesspeople] demands must be logically and effectively presented to the government.” DCCI President Taskin Ahmed said prolonged inflation, US tariff policies, export restrictions from India, the ongoing energy crisis, declining reserves, mismanagement in the financial sector and law and order issues have severely disrupted industrial operations and slowed export activities. NBR Reform Unity Council rejects compromise claims, announces strike “There is no alternative to reassessing our import-export policy to tackle the post-LDC graduation challenges expected in 2026,” Taskin said. He pointed out that export targets for sectors like leather, pharmaceuticals, jute, and agro-processed products have not been met. “Over 84% of our exports rely on ready-made garments and a few specific markets. To address import-side challenges, we need both stability in the financial sector and efficient tariff and customs management,” he added. Presenting the keynote paper at the event, Prof Selim Raihan of the University of Dhaka and Executive Director of SANEM, emphasised the gradual reduction of tariffs, modernisation of import policy, simplification of the customs system, improvement of trade facilitation, and automation.

Reviewing the past eight months of progress on labour reforms and outlining the government's roadmap ahead, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi on Monday conveyed to the top Western nations ambassadors and high commissioners that they have made a ‘dramatic progress’. He held a high-level meeting with the envoys, including from the US, the UK, Canada, European Union and ILO at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon to review the past eight months of progress on labour reforms and outline the government's roadmap ahead. He was joined by technical experts and labour rights specialists. Lutfey delivered the first full summary of the government’s reform efforts since July 2024. “Over the past eight months, we’ve made dramatic progress,” Lutfey said. “The ILO roadmap is not just a guide — it’s a commitment. We’re investing time, energy and goodwill to get this right both in terms of process and outcome”. He commended the personal engagement and moral authority of Labour Adviser Dr Sakhawat Hossain who spent hours with tripartite stakeholders to bring them along. Labour Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman said, “We are targeting July 2025 for conclusion of Labour law amendments and other substantial milestones. The process is moving fast.” Govt committed to inclusive labour reforms, seeks global support: Adviser Sakhawat European Union Ambassador Michael Miller called the process “unprecedented,” adding, “We note that there’s been a lot of social dialogue and we appreciate the sense of urgency. We look forward to seeing the draft legislation soon and track tangible improvements on the ground. Resolution of this has implications for continued access to EU markets.” US Chargé d’Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson said, “We welcome the momentum under the current government and would also like to see accountability for past violations.” Canadian High Commissioner Ajit Singh added, “We appreciate the work done so far and support the ILO roadmap. This is particularly important for Bangladesh in the context of LDC graduation.” British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke said, “Bangladesh’s LDC graduation must be backed by strong labour standards. I echo others in expressing my appreciation for the seriousness with which the interim government of Bangladesh has approached this issue.” Labour Reform Commission submits report to CA ILO Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen remarked, “We’re very close to shaping the updated Bangladesh Labour Act. What matters now is doing this in a way that stands the test of time and protects workers in the long run.” Legislative Secretary Dr Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury said, “We’ve made substantial legal progress, and our team is working closely with stakeholders”. Lutfey also briefed the diplomats on earlier inter-ministerial meetings with the Home, Labour, and Public Administration Ministries to address politically motivated cases from the previous regime, better dispute resolution mechanisms to avert logjam in courts, and the issue of insufficient capacity in inspector roles. “This is not just a domestic issue. Labour rights are now tied to market access, global trade decisions, including the tariff agenda of President Trump. We must act accordingly,” Lutfey said. The diplomats agreed that labour reforms and accountability must remain a priority across all political contexts. Several reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s transition. Washington lauds labour reforms, expects more; stands by RMG “The July uprising provides a unique opportunity for the Bangladesh government to do the right thing. We are grateful for the support from everyone as we approach the final stretch towards closing the case at the ILO governing board,” Lutfey said.

Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi has said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has gifted tremendous "sift power" to the country and they should never let that gift go to waste. "Let’s be absolutely clear: This gentleman has gifted tremendous “soft power” to the country, which has a direct and unparalleled impact on what we are able to deliver for our citizens. We should never let that gift go to waste," he said, sharing his thoughts referring to the TIME magazine's recognition. Dr Yunus was named among Time magazine's list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2025. Given the extraordinary number of international awards to his name, Lutfey Siddiqi said, it is easy to think of these recognitions as “yet another one”. Dr Yunus named among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people "If this was a political leader, any one of these awards would have triggered celebratory roadblocks around the country, endless hyperbolic speeches, huge posters and large newspaper ads taken out by those seeking to curry favour," said the Special Envoy in a post shared from his verified Facebook account. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in a Time tribute praised Yunus for his leadership during this crucial time. "Now, Yunus has answered his country’s call once more. As he shepherds Bangladesh out of the shadows of oppression, he is restoring human rights, demanding accountability, and laying the foundations for a just and free society," she said. After a student-led uprising toppled Bangladesh’s authoritarian Prime Minister last year, a known leader stepped up to guide the nation toward democracy: Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, said Clinton, a Democrat and a former US Senator. Decades earlier, Yunus established the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh to empower the most marginalised communities through small loans, helping millions—97% of them women—build businesses, sustain their families and reclaim their dignity. Pakistan's Engro CEO meets Dr Yunus; eyes business opportunities in Bangladesh "I first met Yunus when he traveled to Arkansas to help then governor Bill Clinton and me set up similar programs in the U.S. Since then, wherever I’ve traveled in the world, I have witnessed the extraordinary impact of his work—lives transformed, communities lifted, and hope reborn," she said.

While the economic case for gender parity seems clear-cut, there has been a growing backlash against the push for women’s equal rights. This backlash could be explained by elements of tokenism, which have also failed to lead to sustainable change. Making real, lasting change will mean tackling things like deeply ingrained socio-cultural attitudes and gender roles. Time and time again, research shows that if men and women were to have the same opportunities — educational, professional, health, to name a few — it would pay off, quite literally. Dr Yunus engages with global leaders, seeks support to bring back stolen money Alessandra Galloni, Editor-in-Chief, Reuters, Canada; Anna Bjerde, Managing Director, Operations, World Bank, Washington DC; Katherine Garrett-Cox, Chief Executive Officer, Gulf International Bank Asset Management, United Kingdom; Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus; Michael Ensser, Chairman, Egon Zehnder, Switzerland; spoke in "Adding Trillions with Gender Parity" session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025. “If you had women participating as actively as men in the economy, the GDP of the world would be 20% higher,” pointed out Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank, in a session at Davos. Case closed. Or, as another panellist in the session, Michael Ensser, Chairman of executive search firm Egon Zehnder, put it: the business argument for gender equality is “an absolute no-brainer.” And yet, what once seemed like a consensus view — that gender equality was something worth fighting for — has increasingly been called into question. For example, around the world, women’s access to sexual and reproductive healthcare has come under attack. Lutfey Siddiqi, a special envoy of the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, has a theory. “One of the problems that we need to confront is that there have been elements of tokenism and virtue-signalling in the way we’ve approached this,” he argued, citing examples where companies have “tried to parachute people in from the top as opposed to building an inclusive culture from the bottom.” UN chief Guterres meets Dr Yunus in Davos Not only was this approach ineffective, it possibly accounts for the push-back we’ve been seeing in some countries when it comes to gender equality, Siddiqi said. “Some of the ESG scores are very reductionist, they look for a single score. And then in organizations it becomes adopted by HR and compliance, and all of a sudden you’ve defenestrated the manager who could have taken some ownership of this thing.” But Siddiqi emphasised  that even if this might offer an explanation for the backlash, it doesn’t justify that backlash. “We can’t throw out the baby with the bathwater,” he argued. “To say, well, because it was done in a tokenistic way in that instance, I’m going to give up on that altogether, that would be a silly way to go.” "It’s quite embarrassing that we are having this conversation in 2025,” Katherine Garrett-Cox, Chief Executive Officer at GIB Asset Management, said during the session. “I wonder if it’s that some people think it’s too hard?” UAE invites Dr Yunus to attend World Governments Summit in Dubai While specific solutions might not be obvious, one thing the session made clear: we should all agree that achieving gender parity is a priority. “We have a lot to learn from each other,” conceded Bjerde. “But let’s not abandon this topic.”  

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke called on the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy for International Affairs, Lutfey Siddiqi, at his office on Sunday and discussed areas of cooperation between the two countries. Bangladesh reaffirms support for Syrian people Special Envoy Siddiqi thanked the High Commissioner for the wide range of timely and relevant areas of assistance that the UK is currently providing to the Interim Government of Bangladesh. The areas of cooperation include technical assistance in the financial sector and convening relevant research in the implementation of governance reforms.  

Grace Fu, Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister in Charge of Trade, has said many Singaporean companies have an interest in investing in Bangladesh.  Fu made the comments when Lutfey Siddiqi, Bangladesh Special Envoy for International Affairs, called on her at her office on Wednesday. “Despite the recent political changes, we believe in the long-term potential of Bangladesh,” FU said in a message posted on her verified Facebook page. “Many Singapore companies are operating or have interest to invest in Bangladesh, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure and logistics,” he said. ADB to lend USD 100 million to Bangladesh for infrastructure dev “The Singapore government will continue to support companies that wish to invest in Bangladesh. “I look forward to deepening our economic linkages, as well as to explore ways to bring our people closer together.” Bangladesh and Singapore share warm and longstanding bilateral ties built over 50 years of diplomatic relations since 1972.

Underscoring the importance of the RMG industry, Chief Advisor’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi has expressed gratitude for the "constructive engagement and contribution" of the foreign buyers' community through a period of challenges and changes. Siddiqi welcomed representatives of global brands and buyers of readymade garments for a dialogue at his office on Thursday. He expressed cautious optimism in metrics such as export volumes, remittances and cargo handling that have defied expectations to show double-digit percentage growth versus the previous year. Other factors such as law and order, labour relations and liquidity appear to be improving but continue to require close monitoring. Beyond that, structural constraints such as our port infrastructure, energy infrastructure or gaps in skills will take longer to resolve but for which, reforms in our decision-making processes should enable us to move faster than before.        The buyers’ representatives pointed out that this is the first time that they have had an opportunity to engage directly in this manner with government at a ministerial level.  They brought up weak brand protection, restrictive credit facilities for imports, and lack of a dedicated green energy plan for this sector as additional issues for the government to focus on. They expressed full support for the government’s agenda around labour standards and rejected the suggestion that their pricing policies could stand in the way of better wages. It was also mentioned that global brands with their own observations on the ground are well-placed to help narrate and project the true story of Bangladesh, as it is evolving right now, to the international audience, according to the Chief Adviser's press wing. Chief Justice calls for justice as a universal right at RULAA Council The Special Envoy thanked them for their support, especially on the backdrop of disinformation in certain arenas. Among others who were present in the meeting were Ziaur Rahman of H&M and Javier Santonja of Inditex.