Bangladesh appears to have given up its expectation, at least for the time being, to get the generalised system of preferences (GSP) reinstated by the United States government. But, Dhaka is attaching the ‘highest possible’ importance to protecting the EBA (everything but arms) that allow duty free quota free market access of Bangladeshi products to the European market, Bangladesh’s largest export destination. Citing poor standards of labour rights, former US President Barack Obama suspended the trade privilege in 2013. Following that, there had been review meetings and the US government provided an action plan for the Bangladesh government to follow for the reinstatement of the GSP. Since the first review, Bangladesh has been saying that it has done enough to get the GSP restored while the US has been saying progress has been made, but more need to be done. Although, the total export of Bangladesh to US stands around $ 6 billion, products worth only $ 26 million were eligible for the GSP benefit. Amidst this contradictory position between Dhaka and Washington, Bangladesh has somewhat concluded that whatever is done the US will not restore the GSP. “We don’t care about the US GSP anymore. That’s why we did not raise this issue in the third TICFA meeting on May 17. We export to their country by paying duty like other countries,” an influential minister told The Independent. “Whatever we do, they (US) will not give us the GSP. It’s political,” he said. But, he said, “We are very serious about the EBA given to us by the EU. We have to and will do everything possible to protect this privilege” “Enough is enough. We are a sovereign nation. We are not going to beg anymore,” said a secretary of a ministry. When asked as to why Dhaka had been doing so many things to get the GSP restored, he said, “Look, we know that products worth only $ 26 million used to get the duty free access. But, in terms of image on the face of globe, the suspension was significant. But, now we think that we have been more or less able to overcome the image issue.” Another secretary pointed out to the ‘double standard’ of the US with regard to the GSP, saying, “I can tell you with certain degree of authority that there are many countries which are enjoying the GSP with much poorer records than Bangladesh.” At the press conference after the third Sustainability Compact review in Dhaka on May 18, commerce minister Tofail Ahmed told a questioner that Dhaka has got a feeling that whatever is done the US will not restore the GSP. “That’s why we intentionally did not raise the issue in the third meeting of the TICFA. We are an honourable nation,” he said in the presence of assistant US trade representative Mark Limscott and US ambassador Marcia Bernicat. “Enough has been spoken; enough requests have been made in this regard. We have fulfilled all the 16 points of the action plan. Since the issue is their prerogative, they will decide as to when GSP for Bangladesh will be reinstated,” said the minister. He reiterated that as a least developed country, products of Bangladesh are entitled to have duty free quota free access to the US market as per the principles of the Doha development round of the World Trade Organisation.
