Dhaka: Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Mohammad Ziauddin has urged the US administration to restore GSP facilities for Bangladesh and allow duty- quota-free access to the American market recognising massive progress being made ensuring workers’ rights and safety.

The Ambassador made the request during a meeting with US Senator Christopher S Murphy (D-Connecticut) at the Capitol Hill on Tuesday, said a press release on Wednesday.

Murphy is also a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

During the meeting, they discussed a wide range of issues, including restoration of GSP as well as the current political situation in Bangladesh.

The Ambassador noted that Bangladesh as an LDC does not enjoy any ‘special or deferential’ treatment from the US in terms of trade while preferential treatments being enjoyed by the trans-pacific partners might chip away the competitive edge of the country like Bangladesh in the US market.

Ziauddin said Bangladesh apparels are subject to high tariff in the USA as opposed to zero tariff to almost all other developed countries in the world.

He added that Bangladesh likes to face the challenges in the RMG and other areas through a sustained and deepened partnership with the United States.

The Ambassador mentioned that Bangladesh has been steadily implementing its commitments and suggestions by the USA, the EU and other development partners. He said the present government did enormous reforms in the EPZs, including the registration of Workers Welfare Association (WWA) and access to the labour courts and appellate tribunals.

Ziauddin said it is now widely being acknowledged that a significant progress has already been made in worker’s rights and safety. This manifests a changing approach and mindset in governing affairs. It still remains a continuous process, and the government and the people of Bangladesh are committed to making RMG a clean, dignified and productive sector and thus offering a win-win proposition for all.

Senator Murphy who previously served in the House of Representatives (2007 to 2013) assured that he would definitely look into Bangladesh’s concern by examining the country’s labour situation for the GSP restoration.

On bilateral plane, the Ambassador said Dhaka enjoys excellent relations with Washington. The multifaceted engagements between the two countries turned the relationship into reliance and partnership with the objectives of democracy, promotion of human rights, counter- terrorism, anti-corruption and transparency.

He said both the countries are meeting regularly on the premises of partnership dialogue, security dialogue and TICFA.

About the critical issue of religious extremism and radicalisation, the Ambassador briefly explained the Senator about the beginning of religion-based politics in Bangladesh and its’ heinous manifestation by the BNP and Jamaat alliance in the recent times.

Press Minister Shamim Ahmad and Political Counsellor Nayem Uddin Ahmed were present at the meeting.