Diplomatic Desk:
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said that to increase its competitiveness in global trade, Bangladesh must give equal importance not only to infrastructural development but also to human resource and institutional capacity building. He said that it is essential to develop skilled manpower in trade negotiations, trade law, WTO regulations and modern trade management to ensure effective participation in the international trading system.
The minister said these things in a meeting held with World Bank Operations Manager Gail Martin at the Commerce Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday (May 6, 2026).
The meeting discussed in detail the ongoing cooperation of the World Bank with the Commerce Ministry, capacity development, creation of skilled human resources and modernization of the trade sector.
The Commerce Minister said that the cooperation of the World Bank continues to play an important role in the development progress of Bangladesh. He sought wider cooperation for trade negotiation skill development of the officials and employees of the Ministry of Commerce, formation of a strong resource pool for the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute, and enhancement of practical skills on trade law and WTO.
The Minister also said that although major projects have been implemented in the country with various donor and government funding, adequate initiatives have not been taken to develop the skills of Project Directors (PDs). He urged the World Bank to undertake specialized training and capacity building programs in this regard.
World Bank Operations Manager Gail Martin mentioned the EC4J project being implemented by the Ministry of Commerce as a successful initiative. He said that the World Bank will continue to support such projects as well as skill development programs in the future.
The Minister also said that special emphasis is being given to employment generation, productivity growth, and value creation in the World Bank programs in Bangladesh, so that long-term positive impacts are created on the country’s economy.
Secretary (Routine Responsibilities) of the Ministry of Commerce, Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, was present at the meeting.
