Improve labour conditions for GSP, investments

Washington has asked Dhaka to improve labour conditions in response to Bangladesh seeking reinstatement of the GSP facility, which was suspended in 2013, and investments in infrastructure, blue economy, IT and pharmaceuticals.

Strong emphasis was put on the issues when Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen held separate meetings with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and USAID Administrator Samantha Power in Washington on Monday afternoon.

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Momen told Blinken that Bangladesh had become a vibrant economy and a land of opportunities from the "bottomless basket".

The US has, however, invested mostly in the power and energy sector but can invest in IT and pharmaceuticals, he said, adding, "If you invest in pharmaceuticals sector, your country can get medicines at affordable prices."

During the meeting, Blinken sought Bangladesh's partnership to implement its "Indo-Pacific Strategy".

"I said we also want free, inclusive, open and secure Indo-Pacific. Come, invest in blue economy. We have huge sea. There, we can work together for a secure Indo-Pacific," Momen said.

Blinken positively responded to the proposal of deepening maritime cooperation as the two countries have shared the goals of a free and secure Indo-Pacific region.

Appreciating ongoing works of a tripartite group on labour rights, he underscored that labour rights issues were an important determinant of the Biden administration's foreign policy.

Noting that Bangladesh is not getting development finance from the US International Development Finance Corporation due to the labour rights issues, he stressed upon resolving all impediments.

Momen told Blinken that Bangladesh is a small country and with so many people and things, bringing change is not as easy as it is in the US, where the population density is much less than that in Bangladesh.

He also shared some initiatives taken up with International Labour Organization (ILO) and European Union (EU) that were helping improve labour conditions. He also sought US participation in the process.

He underscored that Bangladesh has done a lot on safety, as a result of which seven of the top 10 eco-friendly factories were in Bangladesh. He requested Washington to help Bangladesh make improvements in the ease of doing business – a proposal accepted by Blinken positively.

He also called for Blinken's assistance in expediting the matter of opening direct flights from Dhaka to New York.

Foreign Minister Momen met USAID Administrator Samantha Power and thanked her for agreeing to his request to assist in the project of strengthening the coastal embankments in Bangladesh.

Mentionable, a joint feasibility study on this by the USAID and Bangladesh government would commence soon.

Power emphasised that Bangladesh should resolve outstanding labour issues to become eligible for the development finance from the DFC. He also stressed a stronger consultative mechanism between Bangladesh and the USAID on how funds were disbursed.