The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought support and collaboration of the US government to strengthen Bangladesh’s RMG industry and make it more sustainable.
The trade body sought support to ensure fair minimum price of apparel, and a unified code of conduct for social audits. Also, it demanded the US government to reinstate the generalised system of preferences (GSP) in favour of Bangladesh and include garment items in its GSP programme.
In a discussion with a delegation of the US Trade Representative (USTR) about various critical issues surrounding bilateral trade and policies including workers' rights, wellbeing, and market access matters, the BGMEA placed these views.
The meeting was held at the BGMEA Complex in Dhaka on Monday.
Led by Brendan Lynch, assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, the USTR delegation also comprised Director for South and Central Asia, Emily Ashby, and Director for Labor Affairs, Jennifer Oetken. Joseph Giblin, economic unit chief, and Leena Khan, labour attache at the US Embassy in Dhaka were also present in the meeting.
The BGMEA side was headed by its President SM Mannan (Kochi) and included Senior Vice President Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Vice President (Finance) Md Nasir Uddin, and Vice President Abdullah Hil Rakib.