BGMEA wants USA to allow duty-free access of LDCs

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The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Saturday urged the developing nations, including the USA, to allow duty-free access of textiles and apparels from the least developed countries (LDCs).

BGMEA president Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez made the appeal prior to his departure for Geneva to attend the World Trade Organisation (WTO) mini-ministerial meeting.

"We want duty free access as per the WTO rules in the US market. The apparel sector has employed millions of people, mostly women," BGMEA chief added.

He also said: "This is crucial for economic growth and poverty alleviation in Bangladesh."

BGMEA chief also said if the developed nations are truly committed to supporting employment and economic advancement in the least developed countries they must support and protect labour-intensive textiles industries.

He said the developed nations should also ensure a commercially viable and competitive market access for the LDC products through providing relaxed rules of origin and other privileges.