Bangladesh plans to seek a binding 12-year trade transition period at the upcoming World Trade Organization ministerial meeting as it prepares to graduate from least developed country status.

Officials say the government has finalized a position paper for the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference, which will be held in Cameroon in March. The paper outlines how Bangladesh wants to manage the economic risks linked to graduation in November 2026.

The country aims to protect its export-led economy, which is worth about $50 billion and is dominated by the garment sector.

Bangladesh will ask WTO members to extend special and differential treatment for 12 years after graduation. This includes continued duty-free and quota-free access to key markets such as the European Union and Canada.

Dhaka will also seek an extension of the waiver under global intellectual property rules.

At the meeting, Bangladesh will push for reforms to restore the WTO’s dispute settlement system.