The Minister expressed his optimism to get back the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) for Bangladeshi products in the US market
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has once again expressed his optimism to get back the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) for Bangladeshi products in the US market.
“We have already fulfilled 13 conditions, out of 16, set out by the US administration to regain the GSP facilities,’’ he said in Dhaka yesterday.
He was talking to the reporters after a meeting with a delegation from Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at the Commerce Ministry. FICCI President Rupali Chowdhury led the delegation.
“The remaining three pre-conditions will also be fulfilled by April,” he said. The conditions are appointing 200 more fire inspectors, allowing trade unions at the RMG factories located in EPZ areas and giving clarification on the US allegation against the alleged tortures on the workers in some factories.
Regarding appointment of the fire inspectors, the minister said it is a long procedure to follow in appointing the fire inspectors. The government has already discussed the matter at the cabinet meeting and decided to hold talks with the Public Service Commission (PSC) as to how those inspectors can be appointed within the stipulated time-frame.
“We are also considering to seek special administrative authority of the Prime Minister to resolve the crisis over fire inspector appointment.’’
As far as the US allegation on the tortures of the workers is concerned, the Tofail said 19 factories have so far been identified in the wake of the US allegation of tortures on RMG workers.
He would call all the owners of the factories along with the president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Atiqul Islam for seeking more clarification on the untoward incidents.
About the trade union issue, Tofail said: “There has been no such provision for introducing trade union in the EPZ areas under the existing EPZ law, but if we can implement labour law everywhere and ensure workers’ rights including in EPZs, we will be able to get back our GSP facilities.’’
The minister also informed that he would hold a meeting tomorrow with the stakeholders to discuss about the progress of action plan imposed by the US government, which also halted the GSP facilities of Bangladeshi goods in the US market on June 27, 2012.
Regarding foreign investment, the minister claimed that a good number of foreign investors have shown their keen interest to invest in Bangladesh as the political scenario has been improved in the previous weeks.
During the meeting, the FICCI delegation urged the commerce minister to create a level playing business environment for the foreign investors.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
