Bangladesh seeks 2-year duty-free market usage of US
Bangladesh has sought a two-year duty-free access for its readymade garment products to the united states market as the coronavirus pandemic put the major export-earning sector in big trouble amid cancellations of global orders.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen manufactured the request to the government taking into consideration the current situation when he had a telephone conversation around Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Pottinger on Tuesday evening, reports UNB.
Dr Momen also sought US support so that no export order from Bangladesh is cancelled.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) claimed that over US$ 3 billion orders have been cancelled during the last couple of months.
International brands and buyers' business practices have been "questioned" amid cancellation of orders putting vast RMG personnel in immense trouble though owners invested a whole lot in post-Rana Plaza incident bringing massive reforms.
Bangladesh, the most notable garment exporter on earth after China, is heavily dependent on European and American orders.
Bangladesh government and industry leaders started raising the problem of cancellation of orders by the international brands and buyers at various levels amid coronavirus crisis.
The Adviser folks President Donald Trump highly appreciated Bangladesh's role in coping with the current situation, in line with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He assured Bangladesh of continuing US support to handle the challenges of COVID-19.
Trump's Adviser also appreciated Bangladesh for accepting Rohingyas who floated at deep sea for weeks.
The Foreign Minister reminded that other countries in your community should also share the responsibility saying it isn't the only real responsibility of Bangladesh to provide them shelter.
He also urged other countries to get back over 1.1 million Rohingyas sharing duties who have provided shelter by Bangladesh.
The Foreign Minister sought strong role from the countries like the US in expediting the Rohingya repatriation initiative.
Trump's Adviser thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on behalf of the US President on her behalf letter sent to Trump on the occasion of birth centenary of Father of the country Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
