RMG makers renew move for TRADE bill passage
BGMEA meets foreign minister today
Md Hasan
Bangladesh's RMG makers have renewed their efforts to get TRADE bill passed in US Congress to gain duty-free access to US market following the frustrating outcomes of WTO Hong Kong ministerial. As part of the efforts, BGMEA leaders meet Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan today to discuss the strategies. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) sources said as Bangladesh's chance is slim to get free access to the US garment market following the WTO Hong Kong ministerial results, it is now very important to get TRADE (Tariff Relief Assistance for Developing Economies) Bill 2005 passed. The TRADE act will give Bangladesh's garments duty-free access to the US market. TRADE bill seeks duty-free access of all products from Bangladesh and 13 other least developed countries (LDCs) of the Asia Pacific region. The bill was tabled in the US Congress on January 26 last year. The bill is currently under discussion at the Trade Committee of the House of Representatives and Finance Committee of the Senate. BGMEA leaders will also meet charge d'affaires of US embassy in Dhaka on January 24 to discuss the issue. BGMEA sources said they will discuss with the foreign minister the role of Bangladesh embassy in US to get the bill passed. "More concerted efforts from the government are required for the passage of the bill," said Tipu Munshi, president of BGMEA. Munshi also said a team of BGMEA will visit US next month to discuss strategies with lobbyists. He said, "BGMEA is spending more than $20,000 a month on the lobbyist firm." Earlier, BGMEA appointed lobbyist company Sandler Travis & Rosenberg, PA to get the bill passed.
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