The United States has extended its generalized system of preferences (GSP) facility for 122 countries, but Bangladesh has been left out of the list.
US President Barak Obama signed the Trade Preferences Extension Act 2015 on June 29 reauthorising the GSP Programme until December 31, 2017, said a notice on the website of United States Trade Representative.
The previous GSP expired in July 2013. The duty-free treatment of GSP-eligible imports will take effect from July 29, 2015.
The 122 favoured countries include SAARC members India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Afghanistan.
On June 27, 2013, the US suspended the GSP eligibility for Bangladesh due to worker rights issues.
US President Barack Obama suspended GSP facilities for Bangladesh and placed for Bangladesh a 16-point Action Plan which provides a basis for the president to consider the reinstatement of GSP trade benefits
The office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) has reviewed the progress made in implementing the Action Plan and concluded that Bangladesh has made some important progress but must do more to address the workers rights and their safety issues.
