The LDCs unanimously agreed to pass the baton of leadership to Bangladesh from Gambia due to the latter's inefficiency as co-ordinator in preserving their interests in the world trade forum, said commerce ministry sources.

The country's permanent representative to Geneva in a fax message yesterday informed the ministry of the latest developments.

The sources said the selection will help Bangladesh to uphold its interest in bilateral and multilateral negotiations to be commenced under WTO next time.

"The LDCs especially Bangladesh will face some serious challenges in WTO to have as many as its items of export removed from the other countries' negative lists," a high official of the commerce ministry said.

He said as the leader of the group, Bangladesh will definitely get support from the other LDCs in promoting and protecting its interest during the trade negotiations.

Meanwhile, the steering committee on WTO headed by Commerce Minister M Hafiz Uddin will meet tomorrow to discuss the Doha Development Round.

At the meeting, the ministry will review the progress reports of three committees on WTO (market access, product diversification and manpower export under mode-4).

The sub-committees have already submitted their reports to the ministry with suggestions on how the country can gain after given policy changes in the WTO.

The meeting will also review the draft report on WTO trade policy, sources said.

Tariff barriers to trade (TBT), cash incentive and tax rebate in export are among the issues to be included in the country's trade policy, which is slated for review at WTO on September 13-15.

Meanwhile, business community and leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) welcomed the change in LDC leadership.

They said the country's negotiation team will now have priority to table its agenda in the upcoming world trade negotiations.

All members in rotation usually lead the LDC group that comprises the countries designated as least developed by the United Nations.