The proposed 10-percent US tariff on Bangladeshi exports is unlikely to have a significant impact on the country's export competitiveness as Bangladesh remains among a small group of countries subject to the lowest tariff rate, Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman has said.
Speaking at the weekly press briefing in the conference room of the Press Information Department in the capital on Tuesday, he said Bangladesh was one of only 17 countries facing a 10-percent tariff, while many competing exporting nations were subject to higher rates, averaging around 12.5 per cent.
"We do not expect the proposed tariff to have any major adverse impact on Bangladesh's exports," he said, adding that the government was closely monitoring developments and would take necessary measures to safeguard the country's trade interests.
He also addressed the gas supply situation, saying Bangladesh was currently facing a shortfall of around 400 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) due to a technical fault at a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), which disrupted the national gas distribution system.
The temporary disruption was caused by operational issues, he said, expressing hope that the situation would improve within next week. "The present gas problem has arisen due to temporary reasons. We expect the situation to return to normal within a week," he said.
To reduce dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and strengthen long-term energy security, the government had intensified efforts to explore new natural gas reserves across the country, he said.
"The government is giving priority to gas exploration within the country," the adviser said.
He added that increasing domestic gas production remained one of the government's key priorities to ensure a stable energy supply for industries, power generation, and households.
Responding to a question on Bangladesh's possible membership of BRICS, Dr Rahman said the country had received an invitation but had not yet made any decision.
"Bangladesh has been invited, but no preliminary discussions have started yet," he said.
He also said all major policy decisions, including those relating to international partnerships and trade, would be made in the best interests of the country and its people.
Replying to another question, the adviser said the recent retirement of 32 joint secretaries, many of whom had served as deputy commissioners during the 2018 general election, was not linked to allegations about the polls.
However, he said, all officials and stakeholders found to have been involved in any irregularities during the 2018 election should be brought to justice in accordance with the law.
Responding to another query, Dr Rahman said irregularities had also been detected in the 2008 general election, claiming that in some instances, more than 1,000 votes had reportedly been counted within a single minute.
He also said incentives and benefits for freedom fighters had been increased from the current fiscal year.
The adviser announced that the July Museum would be inaugurated on August 5.
He further said a new president would be elected soon following the resignation of Mohammed Shahabuddin.
The Constitution provides immunity to a sitting president, meaning no legal case could be filed against him or her while in office, he said.
However, legal action could be taken against a former president, he added.
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