RMG workers’ database, appointment of inspectors by March: Commerce Minister

DHAKA, Mar 5, 2014 (BSS) – Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed today said the government has made significant progress in implementing the action plan in an effort to get back the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facility in the US 

Talking to reporters at his Secretariat office, Tofail said works on appointment of inspectors for factory inspection and making a database of garment workers would be completed by March 31.

“I hope we will be able to send a progress report to the GSP authority by the stipulated period of April 15,” he said.

Today’s meeting (Three-Plus-Five) was held among Commerce Secretary, Labour Secretary and Foreign Affairs Secretary and five envoys from the US, Canada and EU.

Tofail said review of GSP based on the report is scheduled to be held either in May or June.

“During the meeting, we’ve talked about the sustainable alliance and accord with regard to the development of garment industry,” he said.

The commerce minister turned down the ‘political issue’believed to be linked to the revival of the trade privilege saying that now is the question of fulfilling all 16 conditions laid out to win back the GSP.

Bangladesh is almost on the way to fulfill the conditions, he said adding that the Europe and America are also echoing the same.

Bangladesh had suffered from image crisis and the image is being restored gradually as many businessmen are now visiting Bangladesh encouraged by the business-friendly environment prevailing in the country.

Referring to the persistent growth of the country, he said none can deter Bangladesh’s march forward in the field of business.

Source:http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=2&id=393988&date=2014-03-05