UNB, Dhaka :
The United States has assured continued support for further development of Bangladesh’s RMG sector and acknowledged the progress already made in the areas of labour rights and factory safety.
The assurance came during Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed’s meetings with the US officials in Washington on Wednesday, according to Bangladesh Embassy in Washington.
Tofail Ahmed held separate meetings with US Trade Representative Michael Froman, Congressman Sandy Levin, high officials from the Department of State as well as Department of Labor which included Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Catherine A Novelli, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal, and various retailers’ associations.
During his discussions with the USTR, Congressman Levin and other officials of the US government, the Commerce Minister briefed them of the progress made in accordance with the US ‘Action Plan for GSP’.
He also urged them to consider duty-free and quota-free (DFQF) market access of Bangladesh apparels into the US market which can further
boost the ongoing progress of the RMG industry that has employed more than three million women in the sector bringing about positive changes in women empowerment, child and maternal health, education, and other socio-economic sectors.
Tofail highlighted that the support and assistance of private sector like BGMEA and BKMEA, ILO, Alliance, Accord and a number of western countries including the US was critical for the government of Bangladesh in making substantial progress in a short period of time.
He highlighted the ongoing efforts of diversifying the export items and destinations for Bangladesh products.
The USTR, Ambassador Froman, thanked the Bangladesh Commerce Minister for successful conclusion of TICFA.
Congressman Levin termed the Tazreen fire and Rana Plaza collapse as a wakeup call for both Bangladesh and USA which drew massive publicity in the US media.
The United States has assured continued support for further development of Bangladesh’s RMG sector and acknowledged the progress already made in the areas of labour rights and factory safety.
The assurance came during Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed’s meetings with the US officials in Washington on Wednesday, according to Bangladesh Embassy in Washington.
Tofail Ahmed held separate meetings with US Trade Representative Michael Froman, Congressman Sandy Levin, high officials from the Department of State as well as Department of Labor which included Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Catherine A Novelli, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal, and various retailers’ associations.
During his discussions with the USTR, Congressman Levin and other officials of the US government, the Commerce Minister briefed them of the progress made in accordance with the US ‘Action Plan for GSP’.
He also urged them to consider duty-free and quota-free (DFQF) market access of Bangladesh apparels into the US market which can further
boost the ongoing progress of the RMG industry that has employed more than three million women in the sector bringing about positive changes in women empowerment, child and maternal health, education, and other socio-economic sectors.
Tofail highlighted that the support and assistance of private sector like BGMEA and BKMEA, ILO, Alliance, Accord and a number of western countries including the US was critical for the government of Bangladesh in making substantial progress in a short period of time.
He highlighted the ongoing efforts of diversifying the export items and destinations for Bangladesh products.
The USTR, Ambassador Froman, thanked the Bangladesh Commerce Minister for successful conclusion of TICFA.
Congressman Levin termed the Tazreen fire and Rana Plaza collapse as a wakeup call for both Bangladesh and USA which drew massive publicity in the US media.
