Bangladesh has voiced its concern over the formation of Trans-Pacific Partnership [TPP] in fear that it might adversely impact Bangladesh’s export to USA and some other TPP countries.
Dhaka made the concern at second annual council meeting of the Bangladesh-US Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (TICFA) held in the USTR office in Washington DC Monday.
In the meeting, Bangladesh urged the USA for granting duty-free and quota-free access to Bangladeshi products as per Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration and Bali package adopted in Bali WTO Ministerial.
It also noted that AGOA discriminates between African LDCs and Asian LDCs, including Bangladesh.
The meeting discussed wide range of other issues including progress on workers’ rights, Sustainability Compact and GSP Action Plan, investment climate in Bangladesh, transformation of Bangladesh, market access and responsible business conduct, Istanbul Program of Action, Bali Package implementation, fair pricing, blue economy and infrastructure.
The Bangladesh delegation led by Hedayetullah Al Mamoon, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Commerce was consisted of Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque, Labour and Employment Secretary Mikail Shiper and other government officials.
The US side was headed by Michel Delany, Assistant US Trade Representative.
The US side appreciated the progress so far made by Bangladesh on Sustainability Compact and GSP Plan of Action. They also recognized the huge potential Bangladesh possess, and expressed optimism that US investors will come forward to explore the potential.
The meeting decided to hold the next meeting of TICFA in Dhaka at a convenient time next year.
On November 25, 2013, Bangladesh and the United States signed the TICFA to establish an annual forum to identify and address obstacles to increasing bilateral trade and investment.
The first TICFA meeting was held in Dhaka in 2014.
