Restoration of GSP facility is not the priority for Bangladesh garment industry rather transformation of the industry for better workplace safety and workers rights are the key issues at the moment, outgoing US ambassador Dan Mozena said on Sunday. ‘Restructuring of the industry for better workplace and building safety and workers rights are the issue. Through this transformation Bangladesh will make its mark in quality garment production in the world,’ he said while speaking at the farewell lunch meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh at Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel.
He said the relation between the two countries is better than any time before.
‘You may be surprised to hear this from me because of some recent happenings, but I keep my eyes on the prize. And the prize is the benefit of the people of these two countries through the relationship,’ he said.
Mozena said the USA has continued efforts in helping Bangladesh in different sectors including trade and economy, health, education and infrastructure.
‘I have seen the result as Bangladesh has come a long way in these sectors and doing tremendously well,’ he said.
He said to become the next Asian economic tiger Bangladesh has four challenges.
‘First is ensuring quality education for all the children and to do that the government needs to provide better facilities to the teachers so that they can be passionate about their work,’ he said.
He said corruption, red-tape and political instability are also great challenges for Bangladesh to take the country to the next phase of development.
AmCham president Aftab Ul Islam said Dan Mozena helped to overcome the struggle of the businesspeople of the country in so many ways.
‘We are really thankful to him for all the efforts he put to help us during his tenure in Bangladesh,’ he said.
The USA suspended the Generalised System of Preferences for Bangladeshi products in the US market in June last year.
The US government gave a 16-point action plan to Bangladesh government for restoring the GSP facility.
-With New Age input
