Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh has urged the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to take a considerate view in the next GSP (generalised system of preferences) review for the reinstatement of the status.
The USTR has also been requested to assess the progress made by Bangladesh within a short time and stressed the need for allowing duty-and quota-free access for Bangladesh products to the US market.
Mohammad Ziauddin, the newly appointed Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States, came up with the request when he made a courtesy call on USTR Ambassador Michael Froman at his office in Washington DC on Wednesday.
During the meeting, both of them discussed issues related to trade, investment and the GSP review for Bangladesh, said a statement issued by the Foreign Office in Dhaka on Thursday.
Ambassador Ziauddin apprised Froman that most of the conditions in the “Bangladesh Action Plan 2013”, seen as a precondition for reinstatement of GSP facilities, have already been implemented by the stakeholders. The few remaining ones are in various stages of implementation.
Taking cognizance of the progress made by Bangladesh within a short time, he requested the USTR to take a considerate view in the next GSP review for Bangladesh. He also stressed on the importance of allowing duty-free, quota-free access for Bangladesh products to the US market.
Ambassador Froman acknowledged Bangladesh’s many positive steps to ensure safety and security of the workers and upholding their rights as per the law of the country. However, he stressed the need for full implementation of ‘Bangladesh Action Plan 2013’ for ensuring the benefits and upholding the rights of all the workers in the country. The USTR representative also laid emphasis on the fair labour practices in Bangladesh.
Both Ziauddin and Froman agreed that they, as well as all the stakeholders, will continue to work together in the coming days in resolving the trade related issues between the two countries, including the issue of GSP reinstatement to Bangladesh.
USTR Michael Froman was assisted by his officials Michael Delaney (Assistant USTR for South & Central Asia), William Jackson (Deputy Assistant USTR for GSP Affairs), Michael O’donovan (Deputy Assistant USTR for Labour) and Behnaz Kibria (Deputy Chief of Staff, USTR Office) while Bangladesh Ambassador Ziauddin was accompanied by Commercial Counselor Shafiqul Islam of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC.
Bangladesh has urged the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to take a considerate view in the next GSP (generalised system of preferences) review for the reinstatement of the status.
The USTR has also been requested to assess the progress made by Bangladesh within a short time and stressed the need for allowing duty-and quota-free access for Bangladesh products to the US market.
Mohammad Ziauddin, the newly appointed Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States, came up with the request when he made a courtesy call on USTR Ambassador Michael Froman at his office in Washington DC on Wednesday.
During the meeting, both of them discussed issues related to trade, investment and the GSP review for Bangladesh, said a statement issued by the Foreign Office in Dhaka on Thursday.
Ambassador Ziauddin apprised Froman that most of the conditions in the “Bangladesh Action Plan 2013”, seen as a precondition for reinstatement of GSP facilities, have already been implemented by the stakeholders. The few remaining ones are in various stages of implementation.
Taking cognizance of the progress made by Bangladesh within a short time, he requested the USTR to take a considerate view in the next GSP review for Bangladesh. He also stressed on the importance of allowing duty-free, quota-free access for Bangladesh products to the US market.
Ambassador Froman acknowledged Bangladesh’s many positive steps to ensure safety and security of the workers and upholding their rights as per the law of the country. However, he stressed the need for full implementation of ‘Bangladesh Action Plan 2013’ for ensuring the benefits and upholding the rights of all the workers in the country. The USTR representative also laid emphasis on the fair labour practices in Bangladesh.
Both Ziauddin and Froman agreed that they, as well as all the stakeholders, will continue to work together in the coming days in resolving the trade related issues between the two countries, including the issue of GSP reinstatement to Bangladesh.
USTR Michael Froman was assisted by his officials Michael Delaney (Assistant USTR for South & Central Asia), William Jackson (Deputy Assistant USTR for GSP Affairs), Michael O’donovan (Deputy Assistant USTR for Labour) and Behnaz Kibria (Deputy Chief of Staff, USTR Office) while Bangladesh Ambassador Ziauddin was accompanied by Commercial Counselor Shafiqul Islam of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC.
