Indiscriminate levy of duties on apparel imports to Turkey
Bangladesh’s apparel exports to Turkey almost doubled during the last fiscal to US $970 million, but an increase in duties could endanger future exports.
A team of Bangladeshi representatives will shortly attend a hearing in Turkey, following the country’s decision to levy duties by as much as 27 per cent on apparel imports. Turkish government officials are concerned that imported garments have flooded the market and have decided to levy duties to safeguard local industry. Bangladeshi representatives on the other hand, are attending the hearing to try and counter the decision.
Exports from least developed countries (LDCs) currently enjoy duty free access to the Turkish market, whilst a duty of 9.6 to 12 per cent is imposed on imports from developed countries. Officials of the Bangladesh Commerce Ministry are concerned that if Turkey imposes duties on all imports, indiscriminately, it will severely affect exports from Bangladesh.
It is hoped that the hearing will provide an opportunity for Bangladeshi representatives to express a need to favour exports from least developed countries whilst they try to catch up to the rest of the world.
