The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) yesterday urged the government to speed up diplomatic efforts for passage of a new US trade bill that will allow duty and quota free access of Bangladeshi products to American market.

"The government initiative is a must to move the bill forward from the present stage," BGMEA president Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury told a press conference at the BGMEA conference room.

He was conveying the outcome of the Washington visit of a BGMEA delegation from October 29 to 31 when they had meetings with some US Congressmen, key staff, administration officials and important representatives from the US private sector.

Their discussions focussed mainly on the trade bill titled "The New Partnership for Development Act of 2007" which Congressman Jim McDermott introduced in the US Senate on October 18. The BGMEA president stressed the need for more active role by the government, particularly the Washington Bangladesh Mission, to remove the negative image of Bangladesh from among some Congressmen.

"They (Congressmen) want to see improvements in labour standards.

They don't know the recent improvements," he said, adding that the delegation apprised them of the developments in the last 10 months and they appreciated it.

He, however, said the Congressmen they met have no clear idea about the labour standards in the EPZ factories.

The BGMEA president said the government effort is to mobilise support from a number of Congressmen, as support from 240 Congressmen - equally from Democrats and Republicans - is needed for the bill to pass.

He said it also needs to address the issue of anti-Bangladesh lobby like Africa and US Textile Association, who don't want Bangladesh to be included in the list of beneficiary countries of the bill.

Replying to a question, Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury said if the bill is passed, Bangladesh exports would get duty-free status in USA as compared to an average import duty of 16.2 per cent in USA market at present. The duty is applicable to a maximum of 33 per cent for some items.

Replying to another question, he said the bill is expected to be moved some time between end-January to early February and might be passed before the next US Presidential election. It could be an election issue.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) at a press conference at its office yesterday urged the government to appoint a trade expert in the Bangladesh Mission in Washington so he could look after the newly introduced bill with professional attitude.