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Dhaka seeks UK GSP extension till 2030 to boost trade
02 Sep '20
2 min read
Pic: Shutterstock
Bangladesh last week sought a post-pandemic extension of the United Kingdom’s generalised system of preferences (GSP) benefit for Bangladeshi products until 2030 to boost trade between the two countries. Dhaka said the Bangla apparel sector, which suffered due to unprecedented cancellations and non-payment by UK and global retailers, needs early recovery.
A recovery of crops and infrastructural losses of more than $6 billion caused by extreme climatic disasters is also warranted, Bangladesh high commissioner in London Saida Muna Tasneem told the UK parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on sustainable development goals (SDGs).
She said the extension is also needed for greater support to Dhaka’s low-carbon climate-resilient development strategies for a faster post-pandemic recovery with respect to SDGs.
“We want post-Brexit UK to continue its GSP, allowing zero-tariff access for Bangladeshi products to its markets until 2030, greater flexibility and concessions in Bangladesh’s post-LDC graduation threshold and higher climate financing by the UK for moving towards a low-carbon climate-resilient development pathway in the post-COVID global economic downturn”, she was quoted as saying by Bangla media reports during an oral evidence session of the British parliamentary inquiry into the progress and effectiveness of British aid in supporting Bangladesh’s SDG achievements and the impact of COVID-19.
Tasneem said that Bangladesh had delivered brilliantly on its pre-Covid SDGs performances as witnessed last month during its second voluntary national review at the United Nations High-level Political Forum (UNHLPF) on SDGs in New York, exceeding many SDG targets ahead of the slotted 2020 and 2025 deadlines.
These include SDG 1 and 10 on reducing poverty and inequality and enhancing economic growth, SDG 2 on achieving food security, SDG 3 on Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG 4 on Quality Education, SDG 5 on gender parity, SDG 6 on clean drinking water and sanitation, SDG 13 building climate resilience and many more, she said.
The high commissioner also apprised the APPG that having assumed the presidency of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) in 2020, Bangladesh was prioritising climate financing for delivering on reducing extreme climate disaster vulnerabilities and building back a climate-resilient post-COVID future for Bangladesh and other CVF members, including implementation of the Bangladesh Delta Plan (BDP) 2100.
A recovery of crops and infrastructural losses of more than $6 billion caused by extreme climatic disasters is also warranted, Bangladesh high commissioner in London Saida Muna Tasneem told the UK parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on sustainable development goals (SDGs).
She said the extension is also needed for greater support to Dhaka’s low-carbon climate-resilient development strategies for a faster post-pandemic recovery with respect to SDGs.
“We want post-Brexit UK to continue its GSP, allowing zero-tariff access for Bangladeshi products to its markets until 2030, greater flexibility and concessions in Bangladesh’s post-LDC graduation threshold and higher climate financing by the UK for moving towards a low-carbon climate-resilient development pathway in the post-COVID global economic downturn”, she was quoted as saying by Bangla media reports during an oral evidence session of the British parliamentary inquiry into the progress and effectiveness of British aid in supporting Bangladesh’s SDG achievements and the impact of COVID-19.
Tasneem said that Bangladesh had delivered brilliantly on its pre-Covid SDGs performances as witnessed last month during its second voluntary national review at the United Nations High-level Political Forum (UNHLPF) on SDGs in New York, exceeding many SDG targets ahead of the slotted 2020 and 2025 deadlines.
These include SDG 1 and 10 on reducing poverty and inequality and enhancing economic growth, SDG 2 on achieving food security, SDG 3 on Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG 4 on Quality Education, SDG 5 on gender parity, SDG 6 on clean drinking water and sanitation, SDG 13 building climate resilience and many more, she said.
The high commissioner also apprised the APPG that having assumed the presidency of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) in 2020, Bangladesh was prioritising climate financing for delivering on reducing extreme climate disaster vulnerabilities and building back a climate-resilient post-COVID future for Bangladesh and other CVF members, including implementation of the Bangladesh Delta Plan (BDP) 2100.
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