Dhaka-Washington agreement to reduce countervailing duties

Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said that the existing 20 percent countervailing duty imposed on Bangladeshi products in the United States under the Dhaka-Washington Trade Agreement will be further reduced.

Talking to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday (January 1), he said that Bangladesh is going to sign an agreement with the United States on the tariff issue on the 9th. As a result of this agreement, the existing tariff rate on the entry of Bangladeshi products into the US market will be reduced.

The Commerce Secretary also said that discussions are underway on various aspects including price, supply, etc. regarding the purchase of Boeing aircraft from the United States. However, no fighter jets are being purchased under this agreement.

He said that Bangladesh has no reason to be worried about the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union. Bangladesh itself has also proposed a free trade agreement with the EU. In addition, initiatives have been taken to sign such agreements with other countries that enjoy tariff benefits.

Mahbubur Rahman said that Bangladesh's free trade agreement with Japan will be signed on the 6th. In addition, negotiations on an FTA with South Korea are in the final stages.