Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed. -File Photo

DHAKA, April 6, 2025 (BSS) – Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said that the government would rationalize and make smooth the tariff structure as soon as possible to boost the trade relations between Bangladesh and the United States.

“We’ll bring products and other services from the USA. There are some non-tariff barriers as well as official and regulatory advantages and disadvantages…we’ll ensure that the business activities with the USA don’t face such obstacles,” he said.

The finance adviser was briefing reporters after holding a meeting with the concerned stakeholders on the US tariff issue at the Finance Division conference room at Bangladesh Secretariat today.

He said, “We’ll try to rationalize and make smooth tariff as soon as possible so that the businesses of the two countries expand further.”

Dr Salehuddin informed that the meeting was discussed taking some immediate actions on the recently imposed US reciprocal tariff issue.

He said that necessary products and commodities like LNG would be imported from the USA so that the bilateral trade volume enhances further side by side the bilateral trade relations is also strengthened further.

Chief Adviser's High Representative on the Rohingya Problem and Priority Issues Khalilur Rahman said that it would be possible to finalize the position of the government on the US tariff issue within the next one to two days.

“We’ll crystallize it over the next 24 hours to 48 hours,” he added.

Khalilur also opined that it is possible to increase imports from the USA by serving the own interests.

“We’ll try our level best to resolve this issue as much as possible while we’re also in the same platform with the business community.” he added.

Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud said that such steps on tariff by the USA would definitely make a strong impact in the global economy.

He said that efforts would be there so that the country’s RMG sector could remain unhurt side by side increasing its competitive edge so that the apparel sector could survive in the global competition.

Dr Mahmud opined that the impact of the US tariff would be on the consumers inside the USA as well as on the buying houses. In this regard, he stressed on boosting the productivity.

Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin said that in the day’s meeting, they have agreed on some specific proposals on the US tariff issue and thus would conduct the necessary operations.

“There are some tariff and non-tariff barriers while we’ll repeal or revisit those which will be helpful for expediting trade and commerce. We’re taking steps accordingly and will also remain engaged with the US administration.” he added.

Energy and Railways Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said that this is an evolving situation while the government would think to the process.

“We’ll immediately take some actions and then we’ll closely monitor the situation. We’ll have to strike equilibrium between the expectations of the USA and our desires,” he added.

Eminent businessman Tapan Chowdhury said that following the imposition of reciprocal US tariff, many opportunities would emerge in sectors other than the RMG.

Referring to the imposition of reciprocal tariff on Indian Pharma, he said that an opportunity has been created for the Bangladesh pharmaceuticals industry.

“So, opportunities are coming from various corners…I think we’ll be able to overcome the challenges,” he added.

Another renowned businessman Syed Nasim Manzur said that they have received assurance from the government that the Bangladeshi industries would not lose its competitiveness.

He said that the business community is confident to act properly if there is level playing field while it is the duty of the government to create such field.

“Concerted efforts are needed in this regard while it must be a win-win proposition,” he said adding that the USA market should not be ignored.

Chief Adviser's Special Envoy for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur, NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Finance Secretary Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Commerce Secretary Mabubur Rahman, Policy Research Institute (PRI) Chairman Zaidi Sattar, among others, were present at the meeting.