BGMEA seeks govt help for passage of US Trade Bill, '07

FE Team | Published: November 12, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

FE Report
Leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) urged Sunday the government to take initiative for the passage of a US Trade Bill 2007, which will allow duty free access of local woven products to the US market.
President of the BGMEA Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury told a press conference his organisation was also striving without any success to get the US bill passed.
"If the work continues at the current pace, I hope the passage of the US Trade Bill 2007 for the LDCs is possible by next eight to 10 months," the BGMEA chief said.
He said a team, led by him, paid a week-long visit to the US recently to convince the US senators through lobbyists to help passage of the bill in due time.
Earlier, Bangladesh had taken initiatives to pass the US Trade Bill 2005 and 2007 (February), but those were not successful due to some local and international limitations.
Now the issue relates more to government-level efforts of the both countries, rather those of the BGMEA, he said.
He urged the government to continue lobbying with the US government immediately as the national election of that country is approaching.
He said as the prerequisites towards the passage of the bill the local garment exporters have successfully overcome 97.98 per cent problems in payment, 77.68 per cent in appointment letters and more than 97 per cent in maternity leave.
He said the performance of the local garment exporters in meeting compliances has reached a satisfactory level over the last seven months.
Anwar said the US Trade Bill 2007 offers the facilities of 35 per cent value addition, duty-free access to the US market for 10 years in a row and aid for trade.
He urged all concerned to uphold the positive image of the country to help passage of the bill.
"We need some dedicated persons in the Bangladeshi embassy in the US who know the businesses. This is must for the passage of the bill," he said.