BANGLADESH NEWS
Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes on Sunday said Bangladesh is ready for negotiation with the United States regarding signing of Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (Ticfa).
He also categorically said that the signing of Ticfa agreement was not stalled due to Bangladesh. “I can tell you that if it is stalled then it was not because of Bangladesh,” Quayes added.
Asked about US ambassador’s remarks over Bangladesh’s refusal to sign the Ticfa deal, the foreign secretary declined to comment as he has not heard or have no written exact text what the US envoy said, but he said Bangladesh’s commitment to ILO Convention on labour standard is on the record.
He said both the sides exchanged the text of the draft of the Ticfa agreement and there is a minor issue which can be resolved through discussion.
“We still believe that we can have another round or second rounds of negotiation to remove the issue that yet to solved,” Quayes said adding “If the agreement is stalled in any stage then there is something to look into it.”
He said Bangladeshi readymade garment exporters’ pays 16 percent to 32 percent tariff while entering US market. “If the US government removes this tariff we can do more welfare for the garment workers, enhance wages as well as overall standard,” he observed.
Quayes reiterated that Bangladesh government is committed to labour rights and its commitment is very much on the record.
US Ambassador Dan Mozena mentioned four factors, including Ticfa, had gathered on the horizon, with power to have “a very negative impact” on exports of RMG to the market of the United States.
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