An influential US congresswoman feels Bangladesh’s persistent plea to get duty and quota free access to the American market has justification as the country stands firm against extremism, reports UNB. ‘Bangladesh is a democracy and is fighting against terrorism and extremism…Why you should not be allowed duty and quota free access in the US market,’ Congresswoman Carolyn B Maloney (D-NY) said this during a meeting with Bangladesh Ambassador Mohammad Ziauddin in New York. Ms Maloney, also a member of the Bangladesh caucus of the US Congress, assured that she along with other members of the caucus would raise the matter with the US administration so that Bangladesh can get the trade preferences in the US market, according to a message received in the city on Tuesday. During the meeting that lasted more than half an hour at the Congresswoman’s Manhattan office, the Ambassador briefed Ms Maloney about women’s empowerment in Bangladesh and on the issues of bilateral trade and investment and Bangladesh-US multifaceted cooperation. Minister (Press) of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington Shamim Ahmad and Counsellor (Political) Nayem Ahmed of the embassy were present at the meeting. Bangladesh has long been demanding duty free access to the US market. Instead of providing the facilities, the US kept Bangladesh out of the GSP programme despite having significant improvement in safety and working environment in RMG sector. The Ambassador said peace and stability prevails in Bangladesh and flow of overseas investment in the country is on the rise. He said Bangladesh is on the threshold of attaining a mid-income economy.
