A US trade delegation will arrive in the capital on Sunday to discuss a trade deal as well as a possible reduction of the 20% tariff currently imposed on Bangladeshi exports to the US.
"We're trying to get a further tariff cut on our exports to the USA," Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman was quoted as saying by BSS on Thursday.
"The negotiations will focus on expediting efforts to finalise a trade agreement alongside securing a further cut in the tariff."
The Commerce Secretary said that during the Bangladesh delegation's last visit to the USA over the tariff issue, it was also discussed with the concerned US side to reduce further the reciprocal tariff on Bangladeshi exports to the USA from the reduced 20 percent.
According to Commerce Ministry officials, a draft trade agreement has been prepared. After negotiations with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) team, the draft will be finalised with necessary amendments.
Previously, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin and National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman told reporters that the countries were negotiating to lower the tariff.
After a final round of intense talks between Bangladeshi officials and USTR representatives last month, the US reduced the tariff on Bangladeshi goods from 35% to 20%,
During the visit, the USTR delegation is likely to hold meetings with commerce ministry officials, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, and Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam.
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