Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Mohammad Ziauddin has urged the US administration to restore GSP facilities for Bangladesh and allow duty- quota-free access for its product to the American market as the country made massive progress in ensuring workers’ rights and safety. The Ambassador made the request during a meeting with US Senator Christopher S Murphy (D-Connecticut) at the Capitol Hill on Tuesday, according to officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Murphy is also a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. During the meeting, they discussed a wide range of issues, including restoration of GSP as well as the current political situation in Bangladesh. The Ambassador noted that Bangladesh as an LDC does not enjoy any ‘special or deferential’ treatment from the US in terms of trade while preferential treatments being enjoyed by the trans-pacific partners might chip away the competitive edge of the country like Bangladesh in the US market. Ziauddin said Bangladesh apparels are subject to high tariff in the USA as opposed to zero tariff to almost all other developed countries in the world. He added that Bangladesh likes to face the challenges in the RMG and other areas through a sustained and deepened partnership with the United States. The Ambassador mentioned that Bangladesh has been steadily implementing its commitments and suggestions by the USA, the EU and other development partners. He said the present government did enormous reforms in the EPZs, including the registration of Workers Welfare Association (WWA) and access to the labour courts and appellate tribunals. Ziauddin said it is now widely being acknowledged that a significant progress has already been made in worker’s rights and safety. This manifests a changing approach and mindset in governing affairs. It still remains a continuous process, and the government and the people of Bangladesh are committed to making RMG a clean, dignified and productive sector and thus offering a win-win proposition for al
