Learning from the Past, Preparing for the Future: What Bangladesh Needs to Know

Abstract

The outlook for the United Nations list of least developed countries (LDCs) is finally becoming optimistic following 47 years of lacklustre performance since the category’s establishment in 1971. There have been 52 inclusions and only five graduations to date (CDP and UN DESA, 2015). At least 10 countries are predicted to graduate from the LDC category between 2011 and 2021 (UNCTAD, 2016). Bangladesh, an LDC, remains on track. Unless affected by major unanticipated setbacks in the near future, the country is highly likely to meet the graduation criteria in 2018 and graduate as early as 2024. What can Bangladesh learn from LDC graduates and co-graduating countries? The present brief sheds some light in that regard.