Bangladesh Should "Work Closely with African LDCs to Get Duty-free Access to the U.S."

Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said market access to the US economy is a political issue.

He said: "we should pursue the duty- and quota-free issue at the political level.

He asked: "Is our present politics right in the context of US or not."

Bangladesh should follow the rule-based multilateral trading system. "The country has much potential in service sector. This is a very potential area for Bangladesh and this should continue to be pursued with utmost seriousness," he noted.

Mr Khosru said : "We should not compromise on intellectual property rights (IPR)."

He said Bangladesh should make its clear position in relation to IPR.

Taking part in the discussions at the dialogue, President of International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh (ICC,B) Mr Mahbubur Rahman said: "Individually we're not strong, we need to work with other countries."

He said Bangladesh might work with other LDCs, even with African nations to make headway with negotiations in the WTO forum.

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President, Mr Asif Ibrahim said Bangladesh should take steps to facilitate the import of cotton to promote the country's export.

He said Bangladesh should take measures to maximise its benefits from sending workers abroad under service sector waiver.

Participating in the dialogue former commerce secretary Mr Sohel Ahmed said Bangladesh failed to take moves in relation to cutting down its list of export items during the last ten years. The reasons for this should be identified, he emphasised.

"We should remove ready-made garments and other similar products where we've competitive advantage."

Taking part in the discussions, Manzur Ahmed, an advisor of FBCCI (Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry) said, we should pursue to ensure compliance with the provisions of mode-1, mode-3 and mode-4 as these will protect Bangladesh's interests.

He said: "Mode-4 will ensure our manpower export to the advanced economies."

Mr Manzur said Bangladesh should take steps to ensure duty- and quota-free access of local products, outside the ambit of any single undertaking.

He said Bangladesh should work for direct negotiations with the US government for duty- and quota-free accesses of its products to the world's largest clothing market.

"We should also work for bilateral agreements with those countries in whose markets Bangladesh's exports enjoy real or potential comparative advantage," he added.

Participating in the dialogue, former Bangladesh Ambassador to Geneva Towfiq Ali said the US government's role in the WTO is vital. "We should lobby in Washington for duty-free access there.

He said Bangladesh can take benefits by taking advantage of the WTO framework in the international trade deals.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Washington Humayun Kabir said African nations have strong connections among the US policy-makers.

He said Africa raises its voice unitedly and the US government shows its respect to their demands.