Envoy wants zero tariff access for Bangladeshi garments to US

The country's ambassador to the United States urged the US Congress to allow Bangladesh a zero tariff market access in apparels trade as has been given to the African least developed countries under the African Growth and Opportunities Act.
Akramul Qader spoke on Thursday while addressing a group of scholars, officials and business representatives associated with the Asia Society.
He also stressed broader economic ties between the two democracies at Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC.
Referring to the US economic aid to Bangladesh which amounts to roughly $5 billion since Bangladesh's independence, the envoy said a duty- and quota-free access of Bangladesh's ready to wear garments to USA would greatly obviate Bangladesh's need for foreign assistance.
He said Bangladesh solicits the US support in enhancing skills of the overseas job seekers, improving healthcare, adapting with the challenges of global climate change among others.
Qader in his speech recollected that during Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971, huge number of senior US politicians, scholars as well as the US people supported Bangladesh's cause and subsequently contributed to closer ties between the two countries.
Matthew Shannon Stumpf, Asia Society's Washington office director, delivered the opening remarks at the dialogue which was also attended by the embassy officials and Asia society members and fellows, according to a statement of Bangladesh embassy in the US.