The US government is accepting applications from countries for trade benefits to the American market, which has created an opportunity for Bangladesh to present its case once again for the GSP (generalized system of preference). Bangladesh has been lobbying hard with the US government for the reinstatement of GSP, which was suspended after the collapse of Rana Plaza in 2013 on the ground of serious shortcomings in the workplace safety. Bangladesh submitted the progress report twice on workplace safety upgradation to the United States Trade Representative (USTR), but that could not satisfy the USTR authorities. The receiving of fresh applications for granting GSP has created another opportunity to plead its case again. Senior officials of the Commerce Ministry told The News Today that they were enquiring about the fresh move of the US government for the GSP and Bangladesh would not leave any stone unturned to get back the GSP. Under the GSP porgramme about 5,000 products from 122 developing countries and territories, including 43 least-developed countries (LDC), get duty-free access to the US market. Major American retailers and trade bodies, according to the information available, recently urged the US government to increase the number of GSP-eligible countries supplying travel goods such as bags and luggage to the American market, as current duty-free beneficiary countries are unable to meet the demand. Bangladesh is a major producer of travel goods. Before the suspension of GSP, Bangladesh used to export US$24 million worth goods to the US in a year, which is only 0.5 per cent of Bangladesh’s total trade with the USA.
