Close to 1,000 factories may struggle to survive if the high tariff remains in place, according to industry leaders, who urged the interim government to initiate high-level dialogue with Washington to find a lasting resolution.
Concerned over the tariff on garment exports to the US, apparel exporters in Bangladesh recently cautioned that the sector could face an average monthly duty burden of $250 million unless the duty is permanently withdrawn.
Close to 1,000 factories may struggle to survive, industry leaders say.
While buyers are traditionally responsible for tariffs, many are now passing the cost onto suppliers.
These concerns were raised at a recent meeting of the Sammilito Parishad, a panel of registered members of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
Sammilito Parishad panel leader Mohammad Abul Kalam called on Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus to continue diplomatic efforts and directly engage with the US government.
While buyers are traditionally responsible for paying tariffs, many are now passing the cost onto suppliers, placing even more pressure on manufacturers, Kalam was cited as saying by domestic media reports.
Former BGMEA president and Sammilita Parishad chief coordinator Faruque Hassan called on the government to seek a minimum three-year extension of Bangladesh’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) status.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
