BFTI Organized a Validation Workshop on Anti-Export Bias and Trade Remedy Issues

Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) Organized a Validation Workshop on the studies titled ‘Trade Remedy Issues (Anti-dumping, Countervailing and Safeguard Measures): Constraints and Way Forward in Bangladesh’ and ‘Impact Assessment of Anti-Export Bias on Export Diversification of Bangladesh’ on 14 June, 2026. The event was held at the Academic Block of BFTI in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka.

Dr. Saif Uddin Ahammad, Chief Executive Officer (Additional Charge), BFTI and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, alongside team leader of the studies chaired the programme. in the opening remarks, Dr. Saif Uddin Ahammad expressed his sincere appreciation to the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC) for entrusting BFTI for conducting the studies. He also extended his gratitude to all participants for their valuable presence and engagement at the event that established the strength-point of the validation workshop. Dr. Ahammad concluded that, after the LDC graduation our domestic industries and exporters may have to encounter challenges, globally our products will become competitive. He further highlighted that both studies will play valuable and significant role for taking future trade remedy measures and policy reforms to reduce anti-export bias, enhance export diversification, and improve Bangladesh’s export competitiveness and institutional capacity.

In the following programme, as Special Guest was present Ms. Khadiza Nazneen, Additional Secretary, WTO Wing, Ministry of Commerce. Ms. Khadiza expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the researchers of both studies. 

The programme was graced by the presence of the Chief Guest, Mr. Nasir-Ud-Doula, Chairman (Secretary), Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission. In his remarks, he highlighted that trade remedy instruments such as anti-dumping, countervailing duties, safeguards, and subsidy disciplines are increasingly critical for Bangladesh as it prepares for graduation from the LDC group. He emphasized the urgent need to strengthen WTO-consistent trade remedy capacity and improve institutional preparedness. Mr. Nasir-Ud-Doula also underscored that the findings of the studies would be highly useful for policymakers, private sector stakeholders, and exporters in formulating evidence-based strategies to enhance competitiveness, address anti-export bias, and support export diversification. He concluded by noting the importance of translating research insights into actionable policy reforms to ensure a smooth and resilient transition after LDC graduation. Later on after the valuable remarks, Mr. Nasir-Ud-Doula inaugurated the validation workshop.

The workshop was honoured by the presence of Mr. Md. Enamul Haque, Member (Joint Secretary), Trade Remedies Division, Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC), and Dr. Mostafa Abid Khan, as the distinguished discussants in the first session on trade remedy issues. The second session, which focused on Anti-Export Bias, was enriched by the valuable insights of Dr. Ahmed Ahsan, Director of the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI), who participated as the panel discussant.

The keynote presentation of both studies on ‘Trade Remedy Issues (Anti-dumping, Countervailing and Safeguard Measures): Constraints and Way Forward in Bangladesh’ and ‘Impact Assessment of Anti-Export Bias (AEB) on Export Diversification of Bangladesh’ was delivered by Mr. Harunur Rashid, Research Fellow (Contemporary Research), BFTI and Trade Expert of the Study.

The session brought together officials from various government agencies, as well as representatives from the private sector and think tanks. The validation workshop of Trade remedy Issues was followed by an interactive Q&A session moderated by Dr. Saif Uddin Ahammad, Chief Executive Officer (Additional Charge), BFTI and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, alongside team leader of the studies. In second session of the validation workshop of Anti-Export Bias was followed by an interactive Q&A session moderated by Dr. Md. Abdul Khaleque, Associate Professor, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka and Senior Consultant of Study.

In the validation workshop participants were from the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), Ministry of Industries, BIDA, BTTC, Policy Research Institute (PRI), Bangladesh Bank, BAPA, NBR, BKMEA, Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA), BCI, FBCCI, MCCI, Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners' Association (BEIOA), Meghna Group of Industries, Bangladesh Electrical Merchandise Manufacturers Association (BEMMA), Maliha Politex Fiber Industry Limited, Akij Plastic, Bangladesh Ceramics Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BCMEA), Bangladesh Furniture Exporters Association (BFEA), Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leathergoods & Footwear Exporters' Association (BFLLFEA), BD Cotton Association, Auto Biscuits and Bread Manufacture Association, and Metal Tech Corporations. Participants also exchanged their thoughtful views and opinions during the floor discussion.

The session concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Md. Abdul Khaleque, Consultant of the studies and Associate Professor, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka.