Double-digit economic growth before 2015 linked to RMG’s access to EU, N America

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Bangladesh would achieve a double-digit economic growth, from the present 7 per cent, and reduce poverty to half before the UN-decided 2015 deadline if the country's readymade garments got free access to the markets of Europe and North America, reports UNB.
Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury projected the upbeat prospect at a press briefing on his return from ECOSOC ministerial meeting in Geneva, where he made a presentation on Bangladesh's overall situation.
"We made it clear that if Bangladesh is not given preferential market access, many of our garment workers, mostly women, will lose their jobs," he said, about the downside risk if the affluent hemisphere of the world didn't open their doors to the country's main export item.
The Adviser also focused on the need of a sound marketing system for agricultural products at the world forum in Geneva. "I also stressed the need for reducing exploitation by middle-men and ensuring fair price for our farmers. This is critically important if we are to reduce poverty in the rural economy."
About his meeting with World Trade Organisation Director General Pascal Lamy, Chowdhury said he sought WTO support for removing non-tariff barriers to Bangladeshi RMG and free access to the markets of developed nations. Lamy assured his cooperation.
"If we could maintain current pace of development, political stability and international assistance, our dependence on foreign aid will also come down," he told the briefing.
The Adviser said Bangladesh must not be penalised for her performance in the RMG sector and the WTO must ensure that countries can transform their comparative advantage to competitive advantage in the world economy.
He hoped that Doha Round would conclude soon with a broad agreement on the issue of special and differential treatment for the LDCs Chowdhury presented a 110-page report at the ECOSOC Annual Ministerial Review (AMR) meeting, highlighting Bangladesh's success in reducing poverty and hunger.
Dhaka urged the international community to mobilise resources for reducing the impact of global warming on the country.
"I raised the concerns for climate change and how it can potentially derail our poverty-reduction efforts. I urged the international community to take our concerns seriously and to mobilise resources to reduce the impacts of global warning," he said.