Duty free access for Bangladeshi products in US market sought

USA NEWS,15 June : Bangladesh deserves duty-free access to the US market and US Congress should play a proactive role in this regard. The US Congress should also renew the GSP program in its existing forms. This was said by Bangladesh ambassador to USA and State Minister Akramul Qader during a meeting with Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-KS2) who is also the member of the Trade Sub-Committee under the Ways and Means Committee in the House of Representatives. Ambassador Qader informed that GSP expired in December 2010 and requested Congresswoman Jenkins for GSP renewal by the US Congress without any amendment in order for Bangladesh to get full benefits in exporting all items covered by the facilities under GSP. Pointing out the importance of duty-free market access in USA for readymade garments in order to alleviate poverty, and empowering women in Bangladesh and citing the fact of expiry of the market access bill named ‘New Partnership for Trade Development Act (NPTDA) 2009’ he also requested the Congresswoman to consider supporting any similar bill to be reintroduced in the new congress in near future. In response, the Congresswoman Jenkins assured to work on the issues, especially on GSP renewal. Counselor (Commerce) of Bangladesh Embassy  Md. Shafiqul Islam and Administrative Assistant of the Congresswoman’s Office Mr. Eric D. Schmutz were present at the meeting.