Bangladesh seeks duty, quota free access from Brazil

Bangladesh has sought duty and quota free access for some products in Brazilian market to narrow the existing trade deficit, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said on Wednesday.

He said as a member of LDCs, Bangladesh could avail the facilities in Brazilian market as per the decision of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"Many developed and developing countries have been providing such facilities to Bangladesh, but Brazil yet to offer it," the commerce minister told Brazilian Ambassador to Bangladesh Wanja Campos da N›brega during a meeting at his ministry.

Referring to huge demand of Bangladeshi RMG, ceramics, pharmaceuticals and leather goods in Brazil, he said, "Bangladesh could not export as per the expectation only for high duty."

Tofail hoped the trade deficit would be narrowed if Bangladesh avail the duty and quota free access.

In last year, Bangladesh exported products of US$ 135 million to Brazil against the import of US$ 952 million. Bangladesh mainly imports sugar,edible oil and cotton from Brazil.

The envoy came to meet with the commerce minister for seeking Bangladesh`s support in favor of Brazilian candidate for the post of WTO director general in upcoming election.

Last year Bangladesh supported Brazilian candidate Roberto Azevˆdo. The present WTO Director General Roberto Azevˆdo has decided to compete in the election.

The Brazilian ambassador said they are considering the issue of duty and quota free access, but it needs some time for official procedures.

Former adviser to the care taker government Tapan Chowdhury, senior commerce secretaty Hedayetullah Al Mamoon and additional secretary M Shafikul Islam were present at the meeting.

Source: BSS