PM seeks Ireland's support to get EU's GSP facility until 2032

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought Ireland's support in Bangladesh's efforts to enjoy the preferential trade facilities in the EU market until 2032 instead of 2029 during the country's post-graduation period.

She sought the support when a high-level Irish delegation, led by Ireland's Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney paid a courtesy call on her at her official residence Gonobhaban today (18 March).

PM's Speech writer Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.

The premier said Ireland is a close friend and partner of Bangladesh and the EU member country has always been beside Bangladesh in different international forums.

She requested Ireland to support Bangladesh in the matter of Bangladesh's interest in the EU Platform.

"The prime minister sought Ireland's support so that the EU would extend the business facilities, particularly the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) for Bangladesh till 2032," he said.

She called upon Irish businesses to make investments in special economic zones and hi-tech parks of Bangladesh.

Noting that Bangladesh is a potential big marketing hub for three-four billion consumers, she said there is huge scope for Ireland's entrepreneurs to invest in several promising sectors like ICT, pharmaceuticals and agro-based industry of Bangladesh.

On the labour issue, Sheikh Hasina said misinformation regarding Bangladesh's labour policy is being spread with ill-motive. 

"There will be no misunderstanding in this issue if the EU countries directly contact the government of Bangladesh to know about it," she said.

The Irish minister said he arrived in Bangladesh to strengthen the bilateral relations between Ireland and Bangladesh further.

Noting that he is here to formally open Ireland's first honourary consulate in Dhaka, he said the office would also help intensify the people-to-people and trade relations between the two countries.

Coveney said Ireland wants to extend technical support to Bangladesh's technology and food industry (agro-processing industries).

He said Ireland will continue trying to extend support to Bangladesh for its socio-economic uplift in the United Nations and the EU forums.

Mentioning that a good number of Bangladeshi students are now pursuing their study in Ireland, the visiting minister assured that the European country would welcome a larger number of students from Bangladesh.

About the Rohingya issue, the Irish minister said Ireland will continue its support in this regard.

He, however, suggested intensifying security to Rohingya refugee camps, engaging them in income generating activities and arranging permanent and more developed houses for displaced Rohingya people.

In response, the Bangladesh premier said an adequate number of security members are deployed for Rohingya camps, but killings and other crimes are seen sometimes as there are many internal groups who already engaged in different criminal activities there.

She said there is no instance in the world that permanent houses are constructed for refugees. Even after that Bangladesh has arranged standard housing for one lakh Rohingyas in Bhashanchar.

"If they want to go there, we can arrange housing for some 4 lakh Rohingyas in Bhashanchar. But unfortunately, the housing project in Bhashanchar is not being successful due to opposition from some international communities, non-government organisations and countries," she added.

PM's Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Ambassador of Ireland to India Kevin Kelly and Honourary Consul of Ireland for Bangladesh Masud Jamil Khan were, among others, were present at the meeting.

The Irish minister arrived in Dhaka on Sunday on the second leg of his seven-day official visit to India and Bangladesh as part of his government's St Patrick's Day programme.