BGMEA urges EU to keep away trade from aid

FE Report BGMEA president Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin on Tuesday urged European Union to keep away trade from aid as Pakistan appealed for attaining GSP (generalised system of preferences) recently as support for the flood affected nation. He said Bangladesh would be severely affected if the GSP plus facility is given to the textile background and cotton producing country by EU as EU is the largest export destination of Bangladesh. He said Pakistan also does not deserve such kind of duty preferences from the EU as it is a developing country. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president said yet, EU wants to give the duty preferences to the country it should not be more than 20 per cent of Pakistan's total apparel export over last three years in EU countries. It also should be time bound and not more than three years. He said, "We would convey our serious objection to EU for specially 8 apparel products out of Pakistan's total 75 export items for which EU moved to offer GSP facility. He came up with such opposition during launching of a promotional video movie titled "Amazing People of Bangladesh" to attract the garment buyers from abroad. Addressing as chief guest, German Ambassador to Bangladesh Holger Michael termed recent visit of Bangladesh premier Sheikh Hasina to Germany is a great success. He said German businesspeople are convinced with Bangladeshi products and they are amazed with Bangladeshi people too. He said the nine-minute video is amazing documentary of amazing people about amazing industry what would make positive Bangladesh abroad. He said the countries have been enjoying satisfying bilateral relationships. The ambassador also informed that German president Christian Wulff will visit Bangladesh very soon. Saiful Islam of Bangladesh-German Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BGCCI) said the countries have seen 51 per cent growth in the first half of the ongoing fiscal. He said Germany is the largest garments export destination of Bangladesh, second largest in the world. Mr Islam said Bangladesh stood 3rd among the garments exporting countries while it was 8th three years back. It has been possible only for this amazing people. He hoped one day Bangladesh would be the first garment exporting country in the world. Executive Director of BGCCI Daniel Seild said seeing is believing. Anybody sees the video of 'Amazing People of Bangladesh' must have a positive impact about the country. Country director of German International Cooperation Olaf Handlegten said successful business and export must go hand in hand. German International Cooperation's project 'Promotion of Social and Environmental Standars in the industry' helped to make the movie.