Dhaka: Bangladesh may have to work more to regain GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) facilities in US markets, the country’s ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Stephens Bernicat said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

The press briefing followed a two-hour meeting between the US ambassador and the Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed at the Secretariat in Dhaka.

Bernicat said that she had talked with the minister about the upcoming Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (TICFA) meeting which is scheduled to be held in Washington this month, and about GSP facilities in US markets for Bangladeshi products.

She also gave assurance of working to help Bangladesh regain GSP after TICFA meeting.

The commerce minister, however, said TICFA could not be made successful bypassing GSP issue.

‘I have told the (US) ambassador that the future of TICFA is depending on GSP,’ Tofail Ahmed said at the joint press briefing.

Asked about the speculations that the US is not reissuing GSP facilities to Bangladesh out of political reason even after fulfilling the set of condition given earlier by the country, ambassador Bernicat said, ‘It’s not right that political reasons are working behind it (reissuance of GSP).’