The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh has welcomed the introduction of a bill in the US House of Representatives seeking to provide better market access of LDCs' apparel products to American market.

US Congressman Jim McDermott on Wednesday introduced the 'New Partnership for Development Act (NPDA) Bill' on market access of LDC manufactures.

Bangladesh, Cambodia and other LDCs from Asia will be able to increase their apparel export to the US market if the bill is passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and approved by the US President.

The bill was co-sponsored by nine Congressmen-Joseph Crowley, Phil English, Kendrick, Meek, Diane Watson, Jerry Weller, Earl Blumenauer, Adam Smith and Dan Burton.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury thanked the US Congressmen for sponsoring the bill and hoped that its passage would open wide the doors for Bangladeshi garment export. Talking to media today (Monday), he said Bangladesh is one of those least developed countries that want to "move away from dependence on aid for development to development through trade." The Adviser said Bangladesh and other LDCs would be able to achieve wonders "if impediments to our trade are removed and we are given the preferential treatment that we deserve." He said: "Ii is our fond hope that it will receive widest possible bipartisan support from the Republicans and Democrats alike in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. If the bill is passed, Bangladesh will be able to increase its apparel export by 15 percent to the US market.

Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury said legislative actions on this type in all developed countries would help alleviate poverty and increase employment, not through charity or aid but by helping commerce and encouraging entrepreneurship. "Such actions would also be in consonance not just with the aspirations of the developing world but also with the wishes of the people of the developed nations," he added.

The Adviser said that as Chairman of the Group of Least Developed Countries, Bangladesh would work hard for greater market access for the products of these countries.

US apparel groups like AMTAC are opposing the NPDA bill saying that it would strike a blow on US apparel industry.

Iftekhar said Bangladesh would launch strong lobbying and increase diplomatic efforts in support of the bill.

Earlier, the United States provided such trade preferential treatment to poor countries of Africa.