GSP for garments export
Netherlands to request EU for consideration
Commerce and Industries Minister Tofael Ahmed has sought Dutch support to Bangladesh's plea for getting GSP for garments export to European Union countries, reports UNB.
Tofael made the request through the visiting Development Cooperation Minister of the Netherlands, Jan P Pronk, who called on him at his office in Dhaka yesterday.
Pronk said they were sympathetic to the plea of Bangladesh about the continuation of unconditional GSP. "We will promote your case to the European Commission for sympathetic consideration," he added.
Tofael Ahmed said it is difficult for Bangladesh to cancel the disputed GSP certificates issued from 1986 to 1996.
"It will create unemployment. Female workers, who constitute 90 per cent of the garment workers, would suffer badly. It will also hamper the poverty alleviation programme and create legal complications," he said.
The minister said although Bangladesh has backward linkage to meet only one-fourth of the total demand for export, the country's exporters were sincere and honest to their approaches in getting GSP certificates.
He requested the Dutch minister to advocate in favour of Bangladesh before the EC on this issue saying that the present government issued not a single certificate without full compliance with the rules of origin.
Tofael expressed gratitude for the support of the Netherlands to the causes of LDCs in the first WTO ministerial conference held in Singapore in December last. He also expected similar support and help in future.
Terming the Netherlands as one of the potential development partners of Bangladesh, he said the two countries have many unexplored areas of cooperation where they can work together for improving trade ties.
As the Commerce Minister requested Jan P Pronk to import more Bangladeshi products, the Dutch minister assured him of increased volume of import to his country.
Pronk said many areas for mutual cooperation could be explored through discussion.
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