A five-day training programme on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in trade and economic analysis began at the Ministry of Commerce on August 9, 2026. The training, running from August 9 to 13, focuses on AI applications in trade operations, policymaking, government document preparation and analysis, import-export data analysis, and international trade agreements. UK International, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Commerce are jointly organising the programme, with 30 Commerce Ministry officials participating in the first batch. Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir inaugurated the training at the ministry’s conference room. He said AI could make administrative operations faster, more efficient and data-driven, and play an important role in analysing import-export data, monitoring market conditions and prices, and assessing trade policy impacts. He stressed the need for data security, privacy, transparency and human oversight alongside AI use. The sessions will cover generative AI fundamentals, document summarisation, prompt engineering, and preparation of letters, memoranda, speeches and press releases. Participants will also learn about AI in import-export and market price analysis, supply chains, WTO agreements, and Free Trade Agreements and Preferential Trade Agreements. The programme will conclude with capstone projects and live presentations. UNDP Senior Economic Adviser Owais Parry and TEPP-2 Project Manager Maruf Azam also spoke. The programme is funded by the UNDP.