Dhaka has described the suspension of GSP facilities for Bangladeshi products by the United States authorities as a harsh measure, expressing deep concern that this move may bring in new impediments in the bilateral trade between the two countries. Bangladesh also expressed optimism that Washington would soon bring back the GSP benefits for Bangladesh. “The Government of Bangladesh has come to know about the unfortunate development of GSP suspension in the US. Indeed, a section of people, in both Bangladesh and the USA, had long been campaigning to this effect,” said a foreign ministry statement on Friday, in response to the US decision to suspend the GSP benefits.
“While Bangladesh is absolutely respectful of a trading partner’s choice of decisions, it expresses its deep concern that this harsh measure may bring in fresh obstacles in an otherwise flourishing bilateral trade,” it also said.
“Bangladesh hopes that the US administration would soon bring back Bangladesh’s GSP status, a benefit a least developed country is supposed to receive in developed countries as per the provisions of the World Trade Organization,” it added.
The statement further said, “Bangladesh believes that its partnership with the USA is founded on certain core values, such as democracy, human rights, rule of law, women empowerment, freedom of expression and social justice.”
“It enjoys an extensive partnership with the USA in multiple areas, such as democratic institutions building, empowering grass-roots people, protecting economically and socially vulnerable groups, countering terrorism, contribution to global peace, and most importantly, a lasting business-to-business connectivity,” it said.
“It cannot be more shocking for the factory workers of Bangladesh that the decision to suspend GSP comes at a time when the Government of Bangladesh has taken concrete and visible measures to improve factory safety and protect workers’ rights. Amendments to the 2006 Labour Act, the ILO-led government-employer-worker tripartite agreement to implement time-bound decisions, and formation of a ministerial committee to ensure compliance in garments factories should speak for the Bangladesh government’s seriousness in the matter,” said the statement.
“Bangladesh will remain engaged with all its trading partners to share ideas and collectively address factory safety issues,” it added. “Bangladesh hopes that despite this setback, buyers would continue business with their long-trusted partners and allow the US-Bangladesh trade to grow further,” the statement also said, adding, “The resilient nature of the Bangladeshi people—as manifested in 1971 when they earned freedom in the face of ordeals at home and abroad—must help them to improve the quality of life and earn respect as an enterprising nation.”
-With The Independent input
