RMG sector grapples for duty-free access to US market

25 Apr '08

2 min read

The readymade garment (RMG) sector of Bangladesh, one of the primary sources of foreign exchange earnings for the country, is seeking to win the favors of US to acquire duty free access to its markets through the passage of the New Partnership Development Act(NPDA).

Experts reckoned that expansion of this sector would lead to generation of 1,80,000 additional employment opportunities which would be a major step towards the alleviation of poverty in the country.

A meeting was summoned on April 23 in Dhaka to have a threadbare discussion for this purpose with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and trade union leaders and experts.

At the seminar entitled 'Livelihood Implication of RMG Industry', Dr Mostafa Abid Khan, Joint Chief of Bangladesh Tariff Commission stated, “The country's RMG sector is contributing to poverty alleviation with around 2.2 million people working in the sector and another 10-12 million involved in related industries.”

Attendees urged the Government to aid the sector by ameliorating policies in a way so that the RMG industry could set its way towards a flourishing future.

Almost all of those who were present at the symposium gave voice to a common objective that if Bangladesh was allowed to avail the mighty opportunities of accessing US markets, it would surely do a lot better than it is doing at the moment.

Infact, the meeting concluded with a unanimous agreement for convincing the African nations that Bangladeshi RMG exports would not harm their trade links with US and that by mutual cooperation and understanding there could be a booming growth for all the nations.

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