Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– Bangladesh has requested US Congressmen Joseph Crowley and Jim McDermott of renewal of GSP facilities and reintroduction of the New Partnership for Trade Development Act (NPTDA), 2009 bill at the new Congress.
Bangladesh Ambassador to USA Akramul Qader met separately with Crowley and McDermott at their offices and discussed the issues affecting trade and commercial interests of Bangladesh, according to a press statement received in Dhaka on Friday from the Bangladesh mission in Washington.
Stressing on the rationale for re-introduction of NPTDA, the Ambassador said that the passage of the NPTDA bill would also convey a positive message about US commitment to the LDCs.
Mr. Qader expressed satisfaction over the recent introduction of a bill at the US Senate which aims at extending GSP facilities. He, however, expressed his concern about an amendment proposed in the bill which will have detrimental effect on the exports of some beneficiary countries in the US market.
The ambassador sought the Congressmen’s support in this regard and they assured their readiness to help Bangladesh so no harmful step is taken in this regard.
On trial of war criminals, Mr. Qader informed the Congressmen of the present status of the initiative of the Bangladesh government to bring the persons involved in the 1971 genocide to justice.
Mentioning about the campaign unleashed by a certain section linked with the alleged war criminals, he drew their attention to the fact that the certain quarters are trying to vilify the present democratic government with the ulterior motive of saving them.
The ambassador alerted the Congressmen that there is no scope of human right violations while bringing the war criminals to justice as the government is committed to ensure a fair and transparent trial as per its election mandate.
He assured that trial would be conducted in line with the international standard.
Mr. Qader thanked Crowley who is also the Co-Chair of the Congressional Bangladesh Caucus for his initiative to help Bangladesh receive funding under the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
He welcomed McDermott when he informed that he will be visiting Bangladesh in April.
BBN/SSR/AD-19Feb11-11:08 pm (BST)
