EU wants to bolster trade ties with BD, says Hanna

FE Report | Published: January 23, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2025 06:01:00

The European Union (EU) wants to further bolster its trade relations with Bangladesh and continue GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) facility.
"Trade is one of the most important areas in the field of cooperation between the EU and Bangladesh. And the EU wants to further develop such area," EU envoy William Hanna told reporters after his meeting with Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed at the Bangladesh Secretariat Wednesday.
He further said: "As I promised earlier, the EU would continue its GSP facility for Bangladesh."
He, however, mentioned that Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in raising its exports to EU markets in recent months as its exporters have been enjoying trade benefits from EU.
The EU has been working to help diversify Bangladesh's trade and automation of GSP facility in EU," he said.
Mr. Hanna also observed that the EU joined an initiative namely Accord to help improve the working condition and safety-related compliances in Bangladesh apparel industry following the tragic industrial accidents like Rana Plaza collapse and fire in Tazreen Fashion Ltd.
The EU ambassador also reiterated the EU's position to have fruitful dialogues between two major political parties for the sake of creating peaceful environment and congenial atmosphere for trade and commerce.
The minister, however, told reporters that holding of dialogue with BNP as was committed by this government would be initiated if BNP severs ties with Jamaat-e-Islami and shun the path of violence. Dialogue is a continuous process, he added.
Tofail Ahmed also said earlier on the day the UK High Commissioner, Robert Gibson in Bangladesh in a meeting with him expressed his government's willingness to work with the Bangladesh government. He also informed that UK's total investment in Bangladesh reached over GBP 2 billion pound and some 66 companies are now operating in Bangladesh.
The commerce minister, however, assured the UK envoy to address the existing barriers to help facilitate investment by the UK entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.
Talking to reporters at his secretariat office, Tofail Ahmed also said there is no possibility to hold the national polls before five years' tenure of the government.
"Generally, a government comes to power for five years. We will go ahead with implementing our electoral commitments under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he said after a meeting with envoys of the UK and European Union (EU).
Mr Tofail said the government's main aim is to promote the country's trade and commerce side by side with implementing development projects.
Replying to a question, the commerce minister said there is no pressure on government about 5th January general election.
Referring to the United States, EU, the UK, Russia, China, he said they supported the government after 10th parliamentary election.
He said EU and the UK too want to work with the government especially in the field of trade and commerce.
British High Commissioner in Dhaka Robert Gibson and EU Ambassador William Hanna made the courtesy calls on the minister Wednesday.