United States of America (US) has decided to carry on with the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facility for Bangladesh-created sleeping bags, for which the latter will enjoy zero tariffs, while exporting the bags to US.
The aforesaid decision was taken, when the Obama Administration rejected a petition, which was filed on July 1, by a US-based firm, requesting for cancellation of the GSP facility for Bangladesh-crafted sleeping bags that entered the US market, averred the Commerce Ministry.
The US firm, Excel Outdoor, which had filed the petition with Untied States Trade Representative (USTR), wanted sleeping bags to be listed as textile good and hence remove the same from the GSP list. Following the petition, USTR had also taken steps to review the GSP facility in January.
Immediately in reaction to the petition, the Bangladeshi government lobbied with the US government, following a discussion with various stakeholders.
The WTO Cell of the Commerce Ministry, members of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Chittagong Export Processing Zone and the various production institutions also updated the US administration separately in writing with reference to arguments for Bangladesh.
It was following these arguments, which were reviewed that the Obama administration rejected the petition and decided to go ahead with the GSP facility for the Bangladeshi good.
ALCHEMPro News Desk - India
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