Bangladesh pays almost nine times in revenue to the United States compared to the bilateral aid it received, according to the US government statistics, reports BSS.
Bangladesh's apparel exports will fetch revenue of almost a billion US dollars this year, while US bilateral aid to Bangladesh amounts to US$126 million annually. This, too, is not fully utilised, every year, the official figures reveal.
According to the US Trade Office, on the average Bangladeshi products face a tariff of up to 32 per cent. The average duty and tax in the US on Bangladeshi apparels is 17.5 per cent, according to Mr Alok Chowdhury, a leading apparel exporter to the US.
Asked about the comparative rate for Chinese apparel, the exporter said that it is on official record: Chinese goods, on an average are charged 6.0 per cent because of their MFN (Most Favoured Nation) status.
Queried about why Bangladesh being an Asian Least Developed Country (LDC) and a World Trade Organisation (WTO) member does not get the favour of either of the benefits, Mr Kushal Das, another leading exporter, said this is discriminatory but we are trying to do our best under the circumstances.
Both the exporters agreed that Bangladesh exports would have increased many times if they were given the MFN status.
"It is not for us alone to decide about it (US duty). Yes, we have a role and so do our buyers. The Chinese trade lobby played a great role in getting the MFN status, despite Tiananmen Square incident. We have to work together to get either LDC or MFN benefits. And the government of Bangladesh must take the lead.
BD pays 9 times revenue to US compared to annual aid
FE Team | Published: February 21, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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