Tofail urges developed countries to allow duty-free, quota-free market access of LDCs\\\' products

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed called upon the developed countries Thursday to allow duty free and quota free (DFQF) market access of the least developed countries' (LDCs) products to their markets.
He said as per the ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Bali, Indonesia last year the developed countries are supposed to give DFQF market access of the LDCs' products to their markets before the next ministerial meeting of the organisation. But many developed countries are yet to implement the decision.  
He said the developing countries should be united for the implementation of Bali declaration.   
The minister was speaking at a luncheon meeting of 23rd World Economic Forum on East Asia at Domingo Hotel in the Philippines capital Manila on the day. Commerce Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar attended the programme.    
Mr Ahmed said the WTO should do more for facilitating trade privileges for LDCs. He expressed the hope that the commerce ministers of developing countries could take steps in this regard.   
He said that the commerce ministers' meeting of the WTO in Singapore in 1996 took a decision to provide DFQF market access to the LDCs by the developed countries and it (decision) is yet to be implemented fully.
He said that Bangladesh is now moving forward in terms of economic and social development.
The per capita income is now US $ 1190. The economy of the country is now strong compared to previous times. The volume of export of the country is now worth $30 billion while foreign reserve is $ 20 billion and inward remittances surpassed $ 15 billion. The economic growth is more than 6 per cent during the current fiscal year (FY 2013-14).    
The commerce minister held meetings with the industries and commerce minister of the Philippines Georg L Domingo and under secretary of Trade and Investment Promotion of the Philippines Ponciano Manalo.
The meeting discussed bilateral trade between the two countries. It also stressed on export of RMG, pharmaceuticals, agro products, leather and leather goods and electric cables to the Philippines.
The industries and commerce minister of the Philippines also invited the readymade garment (RMG) exporters of Bangladesh to visit his country. The commerce minister also invited industries and commerce minister of the Philippines to visit Bangladesh.  
He stressed on forming 'Business Council' comprising businessmen of Bangladesh and the Philippines. Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines major general (retd) John Gomes was also present, according to the handout of the ministry of commerce.