Dhaka's proposal for LDCs' duty, quota-free market access accepted

Commonwealth leaders accepted Bangladesh's proposal for Least Developed Countries' (LDC) duty and quota-free access to the markets of developed countries and developing countries, where possible.

The leaders also welcomed Bangladesh's proposal to establish a Commonwealth Natural Disaster Management Programme. The final communique is expected to give the Commonwealth Secretariat a mandate to start work to make the programme operational.

Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan is leading the Bangladesh delegation to the three-day summit of the 53-member forum of former British colonies.

Khan projected the vulnerability of the LDCs facing daunting challenges as the emerging World Trade Organisation (WTO) regime threatens to further marginalise them in global trade.

The Commonwealth leaders at the final phase of the retreat were busy finalising the Malta Communique and Valetta Statement on multilateral trade behind closed doors.

Intensive deliberations were made on the forthcoming ministerial of the WTO, governance, human rights, terrorism and the bridging of the digital divide. The WTO meeting will be held in Hong Kong in December.