Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed yesterday reiterated Bangladesh’s demand for duty-free and quota-free market access in the US market in accordance with the WTO decision.
“Export of RMG products to US market would increase if they (US) provide the trade concession to Bangladesh as a least developed country,” he told the inaugural function of a three-day US Trade Show- 2014 at Hotel Sonargaon in the city.
American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) and US Embassy in Dhaka jointly organised the show, the 23rd of its kind in Bangladesh.
Some 43 US firms showcased their products at 78 stalls of the show that remains open for the visitors from 10 am to 8 pm till Wednesday.
The entry fee is Tk20, but students would have the privilege to enter free of ticket by showing their ID cards.
Tofail said the US market is the single largest export destination for Bangladeshi apparel products, prompting Bangladesh to seek the trade concession for long. The country also signed TICFA with the US for expansion of business cooperation.
“But, they have not provided the duty-free market access yet,” the minister said in presence of US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W
Mozena, who is insisting recently that Bangladesh pays zero tariff to export apparel to the US.
He said the government is working to expand the export basket as well as export market in line with the Sixth Five Year Plan.
Many countries have already showed their interest in Bangladeshi products, he added.