Dhaka, June 8 -- Bangladesh could face risks to exports worth approximately $17.5 billion after graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category due to the loss of preferential market access in developed economies, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir told Parliament on Monday.

Responding to a question from Chattogram-11 lawmaker Jasim Uddin Ahmed during the second day of the second and first budget session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, the minister said the government had already undertaken a series of trade and market diversification initiatives to address the challenges arising from Bangladesh's transition to developing-country status.

"Bangladesh will soon graduate from the LDC category. As a result, the country will l...