Bangladesh will request additional financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to help manage the economic transition as it prepares to graduate from Least-Developed Country status in 2026, officials said.

A 15-member delegation led by Finance Advisor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed is set to attend the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington from 13–18 October, where the requests will be formally presented.

“We will seek additional financial support from the WB and the IMF as Bangladesh prepares to graduate from its LDC status. The graduation will have implications for trade and investment,” a senior Economic Relations Division official said.

Bangladesh is already eligible for funding under the World Bank’s IDA-21 package, but officials say extended support will be needed to mitigate the potential loss of trade preferences and concessional finance.

The government also intends to ask both lenders to continue their backing during the upcoming national elections in February 2025, amid concerns that political uncertainty could weigh on investor sentiment.

Economists warn that LDC graduation may reduce Bangladesh’s preferential access to markets and concessional loans, requiring stronger external financing to maintain growth momentum.