Updated on : 13-08-2018

 Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed today said Bangladesh is waiting for Chinese consent to enjoy duty-free and quota-free (DFQF) market access on 97 percent tariff lines in China.

“Bangladesh has sent a ‘letter of exchange’ to China as per WTO’s decision. If China approves it, we would enjoy the facilities,” the minister told journalists after a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Zhang Zuo at his secretariat office.

Mentioning that members of World Trade Organization (WTO) could avail such facilities between them, he said Bangladesh is getting DFQF from China for 5,074 items under Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) but “we have to drop benefit of APTA to enjoy facilities under the letter of exchange”.

Besides, Bangladesh and China are working on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and for this, both the countries have signed an MoU, said Tofail, adding, “FTA would be needed for availing trade facilities when Bangladesh will finally graduate from LDCs”.

He also revealed Bangladesh has accepted the invitation to participate in the International Exporters’ Expo-2018 in Shanghai from November 5 to 10.

Replying to a query, he said: “The next general election would be held as per the constitution and I believe BNP and all political parties would take part in it.”

Commerce secretary Shubhashish Bose and additional secretary (FTA) M Shafikul Islam were present.