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US congress taking initiative for Bangladesh Caucus |
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October 31, 2000
Dhaka-- (Bangla2000 news-desk) – BGMEA leaders yesterday claimed they could convince quite a few US legislators to bring a trade bill in the next Congress session for its approval allowing duty-and quota-free access of Bangladeshi apparels to American market. “Congressmen Benzamin Gillman assured us of taking an initiative to form a Bangladesh Caucus at the commencement of 107th US Congress through bipartisan support,” BGMEA president Anisur Rahman Sinha told newsmen at his office. He was sharing experiences with the journalists about the recent visit of BGMEA team to the United States, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went there on an official visit, under the apex body’s initiative to get quota-free market access without duty. “I hope 15-20 Congress members would be included in the caucus…we have already received support from Congressmen Acerman, Joseph Crowly and Senator Madam Blunch Lincoln for forming the caucus,” he said. He said New York-based American-Bangladesh Friendship Society took the lead to convince International Relations Committee Chairman of the Congress Gillman and Democrat Whip-at-Large Crowly to take the initiative to promote trade interests of Bangladesh. Before the visit, the Congressmen were unaware about the probable adverse effect on Bangladesh of the Trade Development Act facilitating Sub-Saharan African and Caribbean countries duty-free access to US market. Replying to a question, the BGMEA president said there has to be a bill, whether it would be an amendment of the US Trade Development Act 2000 or a separate fresh bill for Bangladesh. “But we are not taking the decision at this moment. We’ll have to take the decision after the Congress election on November 7,” he said. Despite it being a difficult task, he was optimistic about achieving a good result by year 2001 through a coordinated effort both by the private sector and the government. He appealed to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for assigning the Commerce Minister or a senior minister for negotiating the market access to USA. He also urged sending thanks letter to the EU countries which approved duty-free access of Bangladeshi products and a request letter to other developed countries yet to grant the preferential trading facility. “It’ll help our effort.” “If we fail to get free access to US market, we’ll raise the adverse effect at the World Trade Organisation…even we can go for legal solution under the multilateral agreement,” said the BGMEA president. He is scheduled to call on WTO secretary general Mike Moore on November 2 in Geneva where he will raise the issue so that Bangladesh gets free market in the developed countries other than EU nations. The BGMEA team to USA also held talks with the officials of US administration. Each of them, however, raised the Trade Union issue in Bangladesh EPZs that was termed “dangerous barrier” to getting the market access. “In no way the US government facilitates Bangladesh to expand its market in the United States unless the country solves the EPZ problem,” the BGMEA team was told. BGMEA vice-president Benajir Ahmed and directors Tipu Munshi and KM Zaman Rumel also addressed the meeting. |