Dhaka to seek duty-free access of RMG products to USA for three years

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said Dhaka will seek duty free access of Bangladeshi readymade garments (RMG) products to the US market for the next three years.

Dhaka will make the request during the upcoming visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun, as Bangladesh is trying to ensure recovery of the RMG sector from the financial fallout caused by the pandemic, reports BSS.

The minister said he will also raise the Rohingya issue seeking stronger US support in commencing repatriation of the displaced Myanmar people from Bangladesh.

“It (Rohingya issue) is not our only responsibility, it’s a global responsibility. The (Rohingyas) must go back to their country (Myanmar),” Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters at his office on Monday.

The foreign minister said that Dhaka would also propose the USA to invest in infrastructure development in Bangladesh under its Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS).

 “We don’t have any objection regarding USA’s IPS, but they (the USA) must come forward in infrastructure development here for making it (IPS) effective,” he said.

Momen said he will also raise the visa issue of potential Bangladeshi students as the US embassy in Dhaka yet to start issuing new student visas for Bangladeshi nationals due to COVID pandemic.

The US embassy in Dhaka said the deputy secretary’s engagements in Bangladesh will focus on advancing common vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and secure Indo-Pacific region with shared prosperity for all.

Biegun’s visit will also focus on US-Bangladesh cooperation on COVID-19 response and recovery efforts and sustainable economic development, the mission said in a release.

Prior to his visit here, the US Deputy Secretary of State will visit India from October 12-14 where he is scheduled to deliver keynote remarks at the India-US Forum.

His engagements in India will focus on advancing the ‘United States-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership’ and how the Washington DC and New Delhi can work together to advance peace, prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific and around the globe, said the release.