DHAKA, April 7, 2025 (BSS) - The exporters in the country have stressed finding a rational solution to the US tariff issue in a bid to keep the economy of the country.

They said that the Chief Adviser to the interim government Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus has already held a meeting with his advisers, high-level experts and senior officials to find suitable solutions in the wake of the imposition of a 37 percent reciprocal tariff by the USA.

The government has also taken necessary measures in this regard putting the highest importance.

These were discussed at a dialogue on "US Tariff and Bangladesh's Exports: Assessing Impacts and Charting the Strategic Priorities" held at a hotel in the capital yesterday, said a BGMEA press release today.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) organized the dialogue in participation with the representatives of the various export-oriented sectors.

The speakers at the dialogue also hoped that the government would be able to find an acceptable solution to the US tariff issue quickly.

The exporters of various sectors said that the competitor countries have already advanced a lot in addressing the US tariff issue while the government of Bangladesh would deliver its utmost efforts to keep the export operations uninterrupted through holding discussions with the US government.

They noted that there is a high demand for US cotton, edible oil, wheat and other agricultural items in the market of Bangladesh while the market share of US products could be expanded further in Bangladesh through tariff rationalization.

The speakers and exporters also suggested convincing the US administration to withdraw its reciprocal tariff by revisiting the tariff structure of the government and beefing up the diplomatic efforts for reducing the trade gap.

Although the USA accounts for one-fifth of Bangladesh's overall export earnings, the amount is the highest in a single country.

The USA market is also very important for ensuring product diversification and continuing the trend of export growth.

The exporters also hoped that the government would take necessary steps to keep intact the competitive edge of Bangladeshi products in the global market through reducing expenditure in logistics, simplifying further customs procedures and rationalizing the customs duty.

The dialogue was discussed about the possible impacts of the US reciprocal tariff in various sectors and the possible ways to address those.

Presided over by BGMEA Administrator Md Anwar Hossain, FBCCI Administrator Hafizur Rahman, former BGMEA presidents Anisur Rahman Sinha, Dr Rubana Huq, Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) President Syed Nasim Manzur, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, former President Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, Pran-RFL Group Chairman and CEO Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Dr Zaidi Sattar of PRI, RAPID Chairman Dr Abdur Razzaque, SANEM Executive Director Dr Selim Raihan, Chaity Composite Limited Managing Director Abul Kalam and Dr Moftafa Abid Khan spoke, among others, at the dialogue.