Global buyers now positive about BD RMG: Tofail

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Tuesday said global buyers of readymade garments (RMG) have started rethinking of Bangladesh with a positive attitude after the progress made in the garment industry over the last one year. ‘All are thinking of Bangladesh afresh with a positive outlook. No one is telling anything negative. Many countries are showing interest in doing business with Bangladesh,’ he told reporters at a press conference at Ruposhi Bangla hotel in the city. Visiting Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen, Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Gerben de Jong and Senior Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed were also present at the joint press conference. The Commerce Minister hoped that Bangladesh would get back GSP benefit in the US market if the Congress renews the programme. The legal authorisation for the GSP programme expired on July 31, 2013, and the US Congress is considering a legislation that would extend the authorisation of GSP beyond this date. Tofail said he would visit Washington in the 2nd week of June and hold meetings with US officials, including the US Trade Representative (USTR) and US senators, including Robert Menendez where the issues will be discussed. He claimed that the US has also expressed satisfaction over the progress made in terms of transformation in the RMG industry in line with GSP Action Plan, according to UNB.