The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh has welcomed the introduction of the "New Partnership for Development Act of 2007" in the US Congress aiming at reducing global extreme poverty through eliminating tariff on all products that originated in the Least Developed Countries. "We thank Congressman Jim McDermott for his initiative in introducing this long awaited bill" said a press release of Embassy of Bangladesh, Washington, D.C.

Bangladesh believes that offering duty free entry of products from LDCs including apparel could create new opportunities for employment and thereby alleviating poverty and ensuring social progress in the LDCs.

Bangladesh really appreciate the innovative provision of capacity building in the bill and hope that these provisions will go long way to address the preparedness deficit of the LDC countries. For Bangladesh, this bill rekindled new ray of hope to millions of workers, mostly women, in the apparel industries to bring better livelihood in their personal life, as well as instilling greater stability and moderation in the society as a whole. The government of Bangladesh and the apparel industry in Bangladesh will remain actively engaged with US Congress and other stakeholders for early passage of this bill.

Bangladesh hope that the final version of the bill will be able to meet the aspiration of all stakeholders, the press release added.