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Bangladesh is anxious for duty-free access to US |
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October 5, 2000
Dhaka (UNB) – Industries Minister Tofail Ahmed has said Bangladesh is anxiously waiting for a declaration by the US government for duty-free access of Bangladesh goods to USA. “It’s now overdue as the European Commission has adopted the same proposal for LDCs and US government has given the benefit to African, Caribbean and central American countries,” he said. The minister was talking to visiting US Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Calvin Humphrey and his team at his office yesterday. Tofail said the market access agenda has been on the table since the first WTO Ministerial meeting in 1996. “But the issue has been left unrealized.” He hoped that a positive move would come during the meeting of President Clinton and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Washington this month and requested Humphrey to pursue the case. Humphrey said the US government would do more for flood control and rural infrastructure development in Bangladesh. He said the USA wants rapid development of Bangladesh as it has the potentials for prosperity and urged the government to take a quick decision on gas exploration. Pointing to the workshop organised by US Geological Survey here, the US Secretary said people of different sections would be invited to explain the methodology applies by USGS to assess the Gas reserve in Bangladesh. He said USGS has applied a scientific, transparent and technology-based internationally accepted methodology during the survey. Humphrey said Bangladesh is moving towards progress and it has the scope to synergy the infrastructure development. “Gas pipeline, electric cable, fibre optic can go simultaneously.” He said US government would supplement such gigantic project. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Mary Ann Peters and other US officials were present. |