Dhaka wants GSP restoration

Bangladesh has said the US government should restore the GSP facility and duty-free access of its products to the American market, particularly the RMG, to strengthen Bangladesh's ongoing fight against extremism.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Mohammad Ziauddin conveyed it to US Congressman Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA) on Tuesday when they discussed a wide range of issues, including restoration of GSP for Bangladesh, report agencies.

The other issues that came up during one-hour meeting include present government's efforts for empowering women, combating terrorism and religious extremism and Dhaka-Washington cooperation in various fields, according to a message received in the city on Wednesday.

The envoy said that Bangladesh-US bilateral relations are based on mutual respect and trust and both share same values and objectives.

 The Bangladesh Ambassador  said, " Ninety per cent of the four million workers in the RMG industry of Bangladesh are women.  The country does not enjoy GSP or any trade preference from the US while preferential treatments being provided to its trans-pacific partners will undermine the competitiveness of Bangladeshi products in the US market".

The envoy also informed Mr Connolly that Bangladesh apparels were subjected to high tariff in the US as opposed to zero tariffs to almost all other developed countries in the world.

"This predicts a negative consequence for the export of Bangladeshi RMG to the US with devastating impact on Bangladesh's apparel industry, women empowerment, poverty alleviation and above all, country's war against extremism and terrorism," Mr Ziauddin added.

The ambassador informed that Bangladesh and the US meet regularly under partnership dialogue, security dialogue, military to military dialogue and Ticfa.

Mr Connolly expressed his sincere willingness to stand beside Bangladesh for restoration of the GSP, and thanked the ambassador.