The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The government is likely to appoint Sorini, Samet & Associates, a Washington-based consulting firm, to help its economic trade and investment relationship with the United States, informed sources said.

The Sorini, Samet & Associates, a comprehensive consulting and government relations firm, will provide government strategic advice and technical support on the effort to gain approval of an expanded Least Developed Country preference bill by the US Congress.

It will coordinate with the government and private sector interests in Bangladesh on the effort to build support within the US Congress, US administration, private sector and new government.

The consulting firm will also provide technical input to achieve the best possible outcome in terms of the scope of coverage of benefits for the Readymade Garment (RMG) and other sectors of Bangladesh.

It will also provide technical support on the pending Generalised System of Preference (GSP) worker rights investigation of Bangladesh. The American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO) filed petition before the USTR on June 22, 2007 to remove Bangladesh from the eligible beneficiary list of GSP facilities.

The consulting firm will also assist the government on public relations and media advocacy work with the particular focus on the bilateral economic and trade relationship.

Tasks of the firm also include-assisting the government in US-Bangladesh bilateral trade and investment promotion activities. It will also help other coordination and support activities of the Bangladesh embassy in Washington.