US lobbyist suggests foreign ministry's role in passage of NPDA bill
Friday, 30 November 2007
FE Report
A US-based lobbyist engaged by Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) to pursue the passage of the New Partnership and Development Act (NPDA) -2007 in the US Congress has suggested that the foreign ministry of the government of Bangladesh should take an active role in convincing the Congressmen to vote for the Act.
The bill once passed will enable Bangladesh, along with other least developed countries to get duty free access to the US market. Currently, African nations are getting such facilities under a similar act.
"It (foreign ministry) will be an effective way to promote the bill and will help diminish the concerns expressed by African countries that Bangladesh exports might displace their exports to the US market," said the lobbyist in a communication to the BGMEA.
'We wish to reiterate the need of your Foreign Ministry to take active and a lead role in meeting their counterparts in African countries, and through its mission in Washington, meet members of the Congress and Congressional aides to promote the NPDA-2007,' said US lobbyist firm Sorini Samet and Associates.
The letter was sent to BGMEA after the government on Monday formed two taskforce under the commerce ministry to pursue the passage of the NPDA-2007.
One of the task force will be headed by Commerce Secretary and involve leaders of the BGMEA and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
Another taskforce has been set up under the leadership of executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Mustafizur Rahman, involving the individuals and organisations concerned.
The main objective of the task forces was to conduct separate studies to find out ways and means to help pass the bill.
The US is the largest market for ready-made garments of Bangladesh. Nearly US$ 3.0 billion of the country's $9.2 billion worth of apparel exports earnings in the last fiscal was from the US.
When contacted, BGMEA president Anowar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Pervez told the FE that they would inform the government about the suggestions made by the lobbyist.
Agreeing with views of the lobbyist, he said, as time is limited and crucial, Bangladesh's NPDA mission needs to be effective and efforts should be made to persuade the US and the African governments properly.
The NPDA proposed that Bangladesh and Cambodia, as advanced capacity exporters, need 35 per cent value addition to garments while Parvez viewed that scopes were there to convince the US authorities to relax and reduce such a requirement.
He pointed out that the government could urge the US authorities to allow the Bangladesh authorities or any credible forum to monitor the industry compliance issues and core labour standards of the country.
Bangladeshi apparels exported to USA are levied around 16 per cent duty which makes the products more expensive than its competitors like China, Vietnam and India.
A US-based lobbyist engaged by Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) to pursue the passage of the New Partnership and Development Act (NPDA) -2007 in the US Congress has suggested that the foreign ministry of the government of Bangladesh should take an active role in convincing the Congressmen to vote for the Act.
The bill once passed will enable Bangladesh, along with other least developed countries to get duty free access to the US market. Currently, African nations are getting such facilities under a similar act.
"It (foreign ministry) will be an effective way to promote the bill and will help diminish the concerns expressed by African countries that Bangladesh exports might displace their exports to the US market," said the lobbyist in a communication to the BGMEA.
'We wish to reiterate the need of your Foreign Ministry to take active and a lead role in meeting their counterparts in African countries, and through its mission in Washington, meet members of the Congress and Congressional aides to promote the NPDA-2007,' said US lobbyist firm Sorini Samet and Associates.
The letter was sent to BGMEA after the government on Monday formed two taskforce under the commerce ministry to pursue the passage of the NPDA-2007.
One of the task force will be headed by Commerce Secretary and involve leaders of the BGMEA and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
Another taskforce has been set up under the leadership of executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Mustafizur Rahman, involving the individuals and organisations concerned.
The main objective of the task forces was to conduct separate studies to find out ways and means to help pass the bill.
The US is the largest market for ready-made garments of Bangladesh. Nearly US$ 3.0 billion of the country's $9.2 billion worth of apparel exports earnings in the last fiscal was from the US.
When contacted, BGMEA president Anowar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Pervez told the FE that they would inform the government about the suggestions made by the lobbyist.
Agreeing with views of the lobbyist, he said, as time is limited and crucial, Bangladesh's NPDA mission needs to be effective and efforts should be made to persuade the US and the African governments properly.
The NPDA proposed that Bangladesh and Cambodia, as advanced capacity exporters, need 35 per cent value addition to garments while Parvez viewed that scopes were there to convince the US authorities to relax and reduce such a requirement.
He pointed out that the government could urge the US authorities to allow the Bangladesh authorities or any credible forum to monitor the industry compliance issues and core labour standards of the country.
Bangladeshi apparels exported to USA are levied around 16 per cent duty which makes the products more expensive than its competitors like China, Vietnam and India.