BNP to request US for restoring GSP: Fakhrul

Fakh-press

Opposition BNP on Saturday said it will request the USA to withdraw its decision on suspension of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facility to Bangladesh.

 

“We’ll formally request the US through a letter to withdraw its GSP suspension decision,” he told a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.

 

Fakhrul also said BNP will also issue a statement requesting the USA to restore the GSP facility, allowing duty-free access of the country’s goods to its market.

 

In the interest of the country, Fakhrul said, they have already started working on the issue to convince the USA to withdraw its decision.

 

The BNP spokesman trashed the Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu’s allegation that the USA has suspended the GSP facility following a letter by BNP chairperson and condemned the minister’s remark. “He has provided fictitious information.”

 

“We didn’t write any letter to anyone in this regard. It’s the nature of Awami League to take a position against the country by writing such letters,” he added.

 

Accusing Khaleda Zia of writing a letter to the US government seeking withdrawal of GSP facility to Bangladesh, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu on Friday said the opposition leader is conspiring to destroy the country’s export-oriented RMG sector.

 

“Khaleda Zia had written a letter to the US government and this is how she has made the US government suspend the GSP facility to Bangladesh,” he said while talking to journalists at the local Circuit House in the afternoon.

 

On Thursday, the US suspended trade privileges for Bangladesh until the country improves workers’ safety conditions in the clothing industry. The move will bring tariffs back on some of Bangladesh’s exports to US markets under the programme, known as GSP.

 

Mentioning that the US has suspended the GSP facilities due to the government’s poor handling of the crucial issue, he said not only BNP but also many others, including US envoy Dan Mozena, are blaming the government for the GSP suspension by the USA.

 

“US ambassador Dan Mozena yesterday (Friday) said that the GSP has been suspended due to the Rana Plaza collapse and Tazreen fire incident.

 

Fakhrul also alleged that the government is harassing its leader Ruhul Kuddus Talukdar Dulu and demanded his immediate release.

Source: UNBConnect