Twenty-Five Senior Government Officials Trained on WTO Trade Policy Review Mechanism

Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) organized a three-day training program titled "Capacity Building Training on the Trade Policy Review Mechanism and Regulatory Framework of Bangladesh" from 20-22 July 2026 at BFTI. The training program was initiated by the Bangladesh Regional Connectivity Project-1 (BRCP-1), Ministry of Commerce to strengthen the capacity of government officials on the WTO Trade Policy Review Mechanism.

Ms. Shaila Yasmin, Project Director (Joint Secretary), BRCP-1 chaired the opening session. In her address, she emphasized the importance of strengthening the capacity of government officials to effectively contribute to the WTO Trade Policy Review process.

Dr. Saif Uddin Ahammad, Chief Executive Officer (Additional Charge), BFTI & Joint Secretary, Trade Support Measures Wing, Ministry of Commerce, attended the inaugural session as the Guest of Honor. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of building a strong knowledge base among government officials on the WTO Trade Policy Review Mechanism and Bangladesh's trade policy framework. He highlighted BFTI's role in strengthening institutional capacity through research, policy analysis, and specialized training, noting that well-informed officials are essential for effectively representing Bangladesh's trade interests, supporting evidence-based policymaking, and facilitating the country's integration into the global trading system.

Ms. Khadiza Nazneen, Additional Secretary, WTO Wing, Ministry of Commerce, attended as Chief Guest of the opening ceremony. In her remarks, she underscored the importance of developing a skilled cadre of government officials with a sound understanding of the WTO Trade Policy Review Mechanism and Bangladesh's trade-related regulatory framework.

The closing session and certificate-awarding ceremony was held on 22 July 2026. The session was chaired by Ms. Shaila Yasmin, Project Director (Joint Secretary), BRCP-1, while Ms. Khadiza Nazneen, Additional Secretary, WTO Wing, Ministry of Commerce, attended as the Chief Guest.

A total of 25 participants from Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Food, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock National Board of Revenue (NBR), Bangladesh Bank, Bangladesh Competition Commission (BCC), Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Health Services Division, Department of Patents, Industrial Designs & Trademarks (DPDT), Power Division and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh attended the training program.