Bangladesh has sought US’s support for the readymade garments (RMG) to overcome the economic impacts of coronavirus.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in a telephonic talk with US deputy national security adviser Matthew Pottinger sought duty-free market access for two years for the RMG and cooperation so that the US buyers do not cancel their import orders.
One of the White House spokespersons, Pottinger is also serving as an assistant of US President Donald Trump.
The telephone conversation took place on Tuesday evening, a foreign ministry statement said on Wednesday.
RMG remains the top contributor of the Bangladesh’s export basket since long. But due to global lockdown, the orders fell drastically.
The US is the largest single-country export destination for Bangladesh. But the key product does not enjoy duty-free quota-free market access.
Dr Momen told the US official that Bangladesh’s RMG sector is now producing COVID-19 protection equipment like PPEs and masks.
He requested to US to import more such kinds of medical supply from Bangladesh in tackling the virus.
He also urged the US government to allocate special fund for Dhaka to ensure food security in Bangladesh during and after the pandemic.
The Trump’s assistant highly lauded Bangladesh role in containing the coronavirus and assured that the US assistance to Bangladesh in this regard would be continued, the foreign ministry said.
Pottinger expressed the US government’s gratitude to Bangladesh for giving shelter the Rohingyas stranded in the sea.
In reply, Momen said sheltering Rohingyas would not be the lone responsibility of Bangladesh, other countries should share it as well.
He urged other countries to take 1.1 million Rohingyas, who came here following a military crackdown in Myanmar and have been living in makeshift camps in Bangladesh in nearly three years, to their respective countries and give them shelter there.
He also called upon all friendly countries including the US to play firmer role in ensuring safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
Replying to a question regarding Bangladesh’s digital security act, the foreign minister said this law is being applied against only those who are involved in misleading mass people with fake information as well as in conducting provocative and hate campaign abusing religious sentiment.
He also pointed out that Bangladesh media do enjoy more freedom to express free opinion compare to any other country.
The foreign minister also urged the US to increase its investment in various sector here taking advantage of the facilities at the country’s 100 economic zones and planned 28 IT parks.
On behalf of Trump, Pottinger also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina regarding a letter centering birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the foreign ministry said.
