Dhaka, Bangladesh - Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has urged the US to allow duty-free and quota-free (DFQF) access of Bangladesh apparels to their market aiming to boost bilateral trade between the two countries, reports The Financial Express.
The commerce minister is now in the US. He held separate meetings with US Trade Representative Michael Froman, Congressman Sandy Levin, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Catherine A Novelli, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal and various retailers’ associations.
During the meeting he informed the US officials of the progress made in the ready made garment (RMG) sector in accordance with the US Action Plan for regaining the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facility in the US market, said a handout of the ministry of commerce Thursday.
“We hope we will get back GSP facility in the US market soon as the country has made much progress in the ready made garment (RMG) sector,” he said.
Mr Ahmed praised the sincere cooperation of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), International Labour Organisation (ILO), Alliance, Accord, the US and the western countries for putting the country’s apparel sector on strong footing.
He highlighted the ongoing efforts for diversifying the export items and destinationsfor Bangladeshi products.
Chargé d’ Affaires Muhammad A Muhith, Commercial Counsellor M Shafiqul Islam of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC, and Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence Brig Gen Ali Ahmed Khan were also present.
Mr Tofail Ahmed is leading a delegation comprising private sector members including Jatiya Sramik League President Suukur Mahmud, BGMEA President M Atiqul Islam and first Vice President Shahidullah Azim, and BKMEA first Vice President Mohammed Hatem.
He is scheduled to meet several important Congressmen and will participate in a seminar on Bangladesh’s garment sector to be held at the Harvard University in Boston on June 14.
The commerce minister is expected to return home on June 16.
Source: The Financial Express