The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The victory of democrat Barack Obama and his party colleagues at US have diminished the hope of Bangladeshi apparel exporters of getting duty-free access to the US market.

Democrats are protectionists in terms of the interests of US labours, who were opposing the Bangladesh's efforts to pass a bill in the US congress offering duty-free access of the products of least developed countries including Bangladesh.

However, this protectionism will help Bangladesh in another way, as the country will not easily lift restrictions on import of Chinese products, Bangladesh Garment Manufactures and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez said yesterday.

"Bangladesh by this time has earned global reputation for quality products in garments and knitwear. So we don't fear to lose the market," he also said.

The president was speaking at a press conference on the eve of BATEXPO-2008, the largest clothing exposition in the Asia-Pacific region.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed is likely to inaugurate the three-day apparel exposition at Sonargaon Hotel today. Chief of Army Staff Gen Moeen U Ahmed would attend the closing ceremony as chief guest on Saturday.

The BGMEA leader unveiled an ambitious export target of US $25 billion and an additional 2 million jobs in next five years, keeping well in mind the impacts of possible long-term recession following the recent global financial crisis.

He said the readymade garment (RMG) exports rose to US$ 10.7 billion in the last fiscal year and the first month of the present fiscal recorded a 71 percent growth, which he said is not only impressive but also reflects the industry's strength and capability.

The BGMEA chief, however, did not rule out any adverse impact of a possible longer recession due to the global economic recession and urged government policymakers to evolve immediate action plan to face the future challenges.

He said the BGMEA is making relentless effort to promote the market of the garment industry.

"We have proved ourselves as a strong player in the apparel sector so far and have been branded among the best competitive RMG producers," Anwar told the reporters.

He said it would now be very hard to get duty-free access to the US market but export to the market would not be affected unless the quota restriction on China is withdrawn.

"We are competing on the US market with our current status; it will be very much helpful for us if we get the duty-free access. But the present scenarios are indicating that the duty-free access to the US market will be very hard," he said

Bangladesh is the fourth-biggest RMG exporter to the US market.

Commenting on the current worldwide recession, Anwar said this downturn created both risk and opportunity for them.

"We have to go ahead utilizing the opportunity of the recession," he said, because overseas buyers would now look for cheaper products of better quality.

A total of 67 organizations from India, Hong Kong, Thailand, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh will showcase their products in the BATEXPO in 82 stalls.

BATEXPO, will enable foreign buyers and their representatives to see Bangladeshi textiles, clothing and accessories.

A total of 67 organizations from India, Hong Kong, Thailand, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh will showcase their products in the BATEXPO in 82 stalls.