Passage of bill to widen doors for RMG export: Iftekhar
Tuesday, 23 October 2007
Bangladesh has welcomed the introduction of a bill in the US House of Representatives seeking to provide better
market access of Least Developed Countries' (LDCs') apparel products to American market, reports UNB.
US Congressman Jim McDermott Wednesday introduced the 'New Partnership for Development Act (NPDA) Bill' on market access of LDC manufactures.
Bangladesh, Cambodia and other LDCs from Asia will be able to increase their apparel exports to the US market if the bill is passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and approved by the US President.
The bill was co-sponsored by nine Congressmen-Joseph Crowley, Phil English, Kendrick, Meek, Diane Watson, Jerry Weller, Earl Blumenauer, Adam Smith and Dan Burton.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury thanked the US Congressmen for sponsoring the bill and expressed the hope that its passage would open wide the doors for Bangladeshi garment export.
Talking to media Monday, he said that Bangladesh was one of those LDCs that wanted to "move away from dependence on aid for development to development through trade."
The Adviser said Bangladesh and other LDCs would be able to achieve wonders "if impediments to our trade are removed and we are given the preferential treatment that we deserve."
He said, "It is our fond hope that it will receive widest possible bipartisan support from the Republicans and Democrats alike in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.
He said, "If the bill is passed, Bangladesh will be able to increase its apparel exports by 15 per cent to the US market".
Iftekhar Chowdhury said legislative actions on this type in all developed countries would help alleviate poverty and increase employment, not through charity or aid but by helping commerce and encouraging entrepreneurship.
"Such actions would also be in consonance not just with the aspirations of the developing world but also with the wishes of the people of the developed nations," he added.
The Adviser said that as Chairman of the Group of LDCs, Bangladesh would work hard for greater market access for the products of these countries.
US apparel groups like AMTAC are opposing the NPDA bill saying that it would strike a blow on US apparel industry.
Iftekhar said Bangladesh would launch strong lobbying and increase diplomatic efforts in support of the bill. "While this is a good beginning, this legislation is not enough and we'll be expecting much more from our developed friends."
Earlier, the United States provided such trade preferential treatment to poor countries of Africa. bdnews24.com adds: In 2005, a similar bill was placed before the House which intended to allow duty-free access to products from 13 LDCs in the US market.
However, the bill never came to fruition despite strong lobbying from many developing countries, particularly Bangladesh.
According to Foreign Ministry officials, the 2005 bill was placed by the 109th Congress, which has now been replaced by the 110th Congress. This change requires the creation of a new bill. Chowdhury said, "We deserve preferential treatment. As an LDC, we are doing very well in terms of exports."
"Bangladesh's performance needs to be recognised by the developed economies of the US and EU."
BGMEA welcomes
US bill on RMG
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Monday welcomed the new US bill "the new partnership for development for act-2007", reports BSS.
US Congressman McDermott placed the bill at the US Senate proposing free access of goods from the least developed countries, a BGMEA press release said.
If the bill is passed, Bangladesh will get scope for duty-free access of its readymade garments (RMG) to the US market.
A BGMEA delegation led by BGMEA President Anwarul-ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez) will visit the US on October 27 to meet Congressmen and others to obtain their support for the bill.
market access of Least Developed Countries' (LDCs') apparel products to American market, reports UNB.
US Congressman Jim McDermott Wednesday introduced the 'New Partnership for Development Act (NPDA) Bill' on market access of LDC manufactures.
Bangladesh, Cambodia and other LDCs from Asia will be able to increase their apparel exports to the US market if the bill is passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and approved by the US President.
The bill was co-sponsored by nine Congressmen-Joseph Crowley, Phil English, Kendrick, Meek, Diane Watson, Jerry Weller, Earl Blumenauer, Adam Smith and Dan Burton.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury thanked the US Congressmen for sponsoring the bill and expressed the hope that its passage would open wide the doors for Bangladeshi garment export.
Talking to media Monday, he said that Bangladesh was one of those LDCs that wanted to "move away from dependence on aid for development to development through trade."
The Adviser said Bangladesh and other LDCs would be able to achieve wonders "if impediments to our trade are removed and we are given the preferential treatment that we deserve."
He said, "It is our fond hope that it will receive widest possible bipartisan support from the Republicans and Democrats alike in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.
He said, "If the bill is passed, Bangladesh will be able to increase its apparel exports by 15 per cent to the US market".
Iftekhar Chowdhury said legislative actions on this type in all developed countries would help alleviate poverty and increase employment, not through charity or aid but by helping commerce and encouraging entrepreneurship.
"Such actions would also be in consonance not just with the aspirations of the developing world but also with the wishes of the people of the developed nations," he added.
The Adviser said that as Chairman of the Group of LDCs, Bangladesh would work hard for greater market access for the products of these countries.
US apparel groups like AMTAC are opposing the NPDA bill saying that it would strike a blow on US apparel industry.
Iftekhar said Bangladesh would launch strong lobbying and increase diplomatic efforts in support of the bill. "While this is a good beginning, this legislation is not enough and we'll be expecting much more from our developed friends."
Earlier, the United States provided such trade preferential treatment to poor countries of Africa. bdnews24.com adds: In 2005, a similar bill was placed before the House which intended to allow duty-free access to products from 13 LDCs in the US market.
However, the bill never came to fruition despite strong lobbying from many developing countries, particularly Bangladesh.
According to Foreign Ministry officials, the 2005 bill was placed by the 109th Congress, which has now been replaced by the 110th Congress. This change requires the creation of a new bill. Chowdhury said, "We deserve preferential treatment. As an LDC, we are doing very well in terms of exports."
"Bangladesh's performance needs to be recognised by the developed economies of the US and EU."
BGMEA welcomes
US bill on RMG
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Monday welcomed the new US bill "the new partnership for development for act-2007", reports BSS.
US Congressman McDermott placed the bill at the US Senate proposing free access of goods from the least developed countries, a BGMEA press release said.
If the bill is passed, Bangladesh will get scope for duty-free access of its readymade garments (RMG) to the US market.
A BGMEA delegation led by BGMEA President Anwarul-ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez) will visit the US on October 27 to meet Congressmen and others to obtain their support for the bill.