, April 10 -- Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktaadir on Thursday said Bangladesh must enhance its economic competitiveness as the country approaches its LDC graduation, stressing that the current global realities leave no room for inaction.

Speaking at a signing ceremony held at a city hotel under the SME Foundation's Credit Wholesaling programme, the minister noted the urgent need to make the industrial sector more competitive, resilient, and innovation-driven. He emphasized timely and accessible financing for SMEs to achieve this goal.

The minister also highlighted rising fuel costs, global uncertainties, and external challenges as obstacles to maintaining industrial competitiveness. He said LDC graduation has already limited c...