The main slogan of the new BNP-led government that came to power through elections is "Bangladesh first". The slogan is very positive. However, the "Agreement on Reciprocal Trade" signed by the interim government just before the national elections reveals that Bangladesh`s interest is the last. The new government now need to nullify the trade agreement to uphold the "Bangladesh first" slogan. Professor Anu Muhammad said this at a discussion meeting organised by the Bangladesh LDC Graduation Watch Group at the National Press Club in Dhaka today.
It is natural for any agreement that both parties will gain something. But there is almost nothing for Bangladesh in the US-Bangladesh agreement signed on February 9, 2026, and what is there is full of ifs and buts. However, the interim government has tried desperately to complete that agreement. said Mosahida Sultana, Associate Professor of the Department of Accounting, University of Dhaka.
The discussion was addressed by economist Professor Anu Muhammad, lawyer Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, and Moshahida Sultana, Associate Professor of the University of Dhaka. The keynote address was delivered by Barkat Ullah Maruf, Coordinator of Bangladesh LDC Watch Group, and Zakir Hossain, CEO of Nagorik Udyog, presided over the meeting.
Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua said in his speech that according to the Bangladesh Constitution, there is a provision for this agreement to be raised and passed in the National Parliament through the President of Bangladesh. Just because the agreement has been signed, it does not mean that it will be implemented immediately. However, the question is whether the government will do it or not.
According to the existing laws and constitution of Bangladesh, it is possible to bring those involved in these agreements under accountability, said Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua. He said that designing agreements against the country`s interests is a crime.
While delivering the keynote speech at the meeting, Bangladesh LDC Graduation Watch Coordinator Barkat Ullah Maruf said that Bangladesh has commenced the bilateral trade agreements with Japan and America to maintain the duty-free market access for its exports, especially the RMG sector, which has benefited from the country`s LDC status. But Bangladesh`s garment industry will be the most affected by this agreement. Because the agreement with the United States does not clearly mention how much clothing the United States will import from Bangladesh, whether it will impose duties on it, or when it will import. Rather, it is written that they are committed to creating a duty-free system for the Bangladeshi garment industry if Bangladesh imports cotton and other goods from the United States.
Maruf said that although it is mentioned that Bangladesh will be forced to import billions of dollars` worth of fish, meat, agricultural products, Boeing aircraft, weapons, etc. from the United States, there is no clear mention of how much the United States will import from Bangladesh or when.
In his closing speech while presiding over the meeting, the Chief Executive of the Nagorik Uddyog, Zakir Hossain, said, LDC Graduation Watch has been researching and campaigning on this issue. They want to take the initiative to discuss the agreements made with Japan and the United States further, which is good news. He said that, before making such agreements in the future, a law should be made to avoid secrecy and have open discussions.