In a bid to gain duty and quota-free access of Bangladeshi products to the US market, Bangladesh Ambassador in Washington Mohammad Ziauddin reportedly sought the support of Congressman Sander Levin for the same, while also briefing Levin about Bangladesh’s economic and political situation.
Ambassador Ziauddin reportedly informed the Congressman that despite being the largest apparel exporter to the US, Bangladesh feels “neglected” for not getting the duty-free market access. Levin is the Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over all tax, trade, and economic growth policies.
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“Therefore, he urged that the US should consider our case favourably,” the Bangladesh embassy said in a statement.
The Congressman on his part reportedly told the Bangladeshi Ambassador that he is well aware of the Bangladesh economy, the Rana Plaza tragedy, and the issue of workers’ safety and security besides expressing his sincere willingness to stand beside Bangladesh.
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It may be mentioned here that Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed had recently underlined that there seems to be a political angle behind non-restoration of the much-sought after Generalised System of Preference (GSP) — the trade privileges enjoyed by Bangladesh — which was suspended by the US in 2013, following a devastating fire at Tazreen Fashions and the collapse of Rana Plaza building.
Earlier, the US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat had also called upon the garment sector of Bangladesh to improve the working conditions of the workers involved in apparel manufacturing, in order to regain the GSP as well as to boost garment exports.
