Acting Foreign Minister Humaiun Kobir urged developed Commonwealth countries to continue offering preferential treatment in intra-Commonwealth trade to countries graduating from least-developed to developing status, to support a smooth socio-economic transition, according to a foreign ministry statement on Wednesday.

Speaking at the executive session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in St John’s, Kobir addressed the session as leader of Bangladesh’s delegation.

He was accorded full cabinet ministerial status to lead the delegation and discharge the foreign minister’s responsibilities during the 28th CHOGM in Antigua and Barbuda, which runs from November 1 to 4.

The executive session at the American University of Antigua Conference Center brought together heads of government, foreign ministers and heads of delegation from the 56 Commonwealth member states.

Kobir drew attention to obstacles to uninterrupted supply chains and trade between Commonwealth nations and called for more concerted effort by the Commonwealth to harness the potential of intra-Commonwealth trade.

Commonwealth leaders also put forward proposals to deepen cooperation across a range of sectors: promoting intra-Commonwealth trade, investment and private sector financing; advancing greater coherence in the international monetary, financial and trading system; strengthening climate finance partnerships; and supporting youth skilling and entrepreneurship.