A total of 790 apparel factories, including 39 export-oriented ones, have been shut down following inspections under the supervision of Accord, Alliance and a national initiative, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed told parliament yesterday. The minister said these three agencies have completed their inspections of 3,746 apparel units on fire, power and factory buildings’ preliminary security issues.During their inspections, 39 factories have been shut down completely while 42 were closed partially, Ahmed said in a scripted answer.Ahmed said Bangladesh now enjoys a duty-free benefit in 52 countries, including 28 European nations, for all but arms and ammunition.The minister said the US has allowed duty-free access for 8,620 Bangladeshi products, South Korea for 8,778 products, China 4,788 products, Thailand 6,999 products and Malaysia 297 products.The government has taken various measures to expand the duty-free benefit for Bangladeshi products to more countries, he added.He also said efforts are on to fulfil the criteria to attain duty- and quota-free facility from the USA.
