U.S Bangladesh Advisory Council

USBAC Policy Priorities:

Help Bangladeshis Earn Their Livelihoods from Trade

Trade with the United States is an important factor in Bangladesh’s economic
development. Each year, Bangladesh earns about $3.4 billion dollars from exports to the
United States. The export industry supports millions of jobs in Bangladesh, many of which
go to women.

Unfortunately, U.S. trade policy towards Bangladesh has remained quite restrictive. Each
year, Bangladesh faces U.S. tariffs in the amount of $590 million on just $3.4 billion worth
of exports. If these tariffs were removed, millions more people, especially women, would
find employment in Bangladesh.

Address the Impact of Climate Change in Bangladesh

Bangladeshis are tackling climate change at the frontlines. Scientists predict that by 2020,
Bangladesh will have tens of millions of “climate refugees” - people who will be displaced
from their homes due to the rising sea level.

Carbon emissions by the U.S., China, and other industrialized countries are worsening the
problem of climate change. These countries need to limit carbon emissions while at the
same time assist countries like Bangladesh in mitigating the effects of climate change in
real time. This includes funding adaptation projects (in the form of grants, not loans) which
can help Bangladeshis cope with flooding , e,g. funding for agricultural innovations that will
help coastal people grow food in salty water.

Help Bangladesh Benefit from U.S. Foreign Assistance

While Bangladesh has reduced its dependency on foreign aid, the country still needs aid
in critical areas including for economic development and health. Unfortunately the
economic crisis means that funds for foreign assistance in the U.S. budget will be scarce.
Remittances from migrant workers, which accounts for about 11 percent of Bangladesh’s
GDP, are also projected to drop sharply due to ripple effects of the crisis.

We must ensure that as the U.S. takes appropriate measures to address the financial
crisis, important economic development projects in Bangladesh are not ended abruptly.
The new Bangladeshi government must also ensure that foreign assistance funds are
used wisely and transparently.

Promote Decent Work Opportunities for Bangladeshis in a Globalized World

Many Bangladeshis, in Bangladesh and overseas are working without rights, voice,
recognition and equality. “Decent work,” i.e. work that promotes the freedom, equity,
security and human dignity of workers is central to efforts to reduce poverty, and is a
means for achieving equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.

Bangladesh can promote decent work by undertaking several important reforms in its
domestic and international policies. The United States can also safeguard the rights of
working Bangladeshis in the U.S., in Bangladesh, and in other countries where migrant
workers toil hard to support themselves and their families. U.S. trade and aid policies can
play a significant role in promoting decent work opportunities for Bangladeshis. Both
countries must also work with the International Labor Organization and other multilateral
organizations to achieve this goal.

Promote Rule of Law in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has seen severe deficiencies in the rule of law ever since its birth. Breakdown
in the rule of law has come in the way of economic development, social progress and true
democracy. We must hold the new government in Bangladesh to its promise of
establishing rule of law and setting up a fair and effective judiciary.

There also are opportunities for U.S. policies to promote rule of law in Bangladesh. The
U.S. can, when deemed necessary, exercise leverage through economic, trade and
foreign policy, urging Bangladesh to exercise good governance, crack down on human
rights abuses, promote civil liberties, economic rights (especially in the case of minorities)
and maintain law and order.

U.S. Bangladesh Advisory Council