Bangladesh won’t join any major initiative before polls

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said Bangladesh will not join any major initiative before the next national election.

He made the remarks when a reporter wanted to know whether Bangladesh will join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) or not.

The RCEP is the world's largest regional free-trade bloc led by China.

The foreign minister was briefing the media on a number of issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Bangladesh had initiated discussion to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to retain duty benefits once it makes the United Nations status graduation from a least developed country to a developing one in 2026.