Kazi Zahidul Hasan :Bangladesh would renew its demand for restoration of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facilities to the US authorities in the upcoming TICFA meeting scheduled to be held on November 23 in Washington.A five-member Bangladesh delegation led by Senior Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamun will attend the crucial meeting where both sides will discuss a wide range of bilateral issues especially trade and investment promotion between the two countries.”We will first raise the GSP issue and request the US authorities for withdrawal of the suspension order,” a senior Commerce Ministry official told The New Nation on Sunday He said, “We hope that the USA will withdraw the suspension of GSP after the meeting. The minister expects revival of special trade benefit for Bangladesh as the country has made significant progress in labour rights and working conditions in factories in line with the conditions of the US authorities”.Earlier, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said that the success of TICFA would depend on revival of GSP. “Without GSP, TICFA is meaningless,” he said.The Commerce Ministry official further said, the concerned US department has already inspected the factories and expressed satisfaction over the transformation made in the RMG sector since the incidents of Rana Plaza and Tazreen fire. “We have also ensured workers rights, improved working conditions and amended Labour Law. The working environment is very sound. There’s no reason to see any barrier to get back GSP,” he said. The success and implementation of the TICFA are linked to the reinstatement of the GSP.When asked, he said, “Some factories need to do more as per inspection reports. We hope that the flaws will be addressed as soon as possible.”The US suspended Bangladesh’s trade benefits on June 27, 2013 after the Rana Plaza collapse in Savar under Dhaka district, putting the poor safety standards in the factories in sharp focus.Bangladesh Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (TICFA) was signed by Bangladesh Commerce Secretary (former) Mahbub Ahmed and Acting Deputy US Trade Representative Wendy Cutler in 2013. TICFA provides a mechanism for both governments to discuss trade and investment issues and areas of cooperation.
