Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed her firm optimism that Bangladesh would get the GSP facilities from the United States through implementing the action plan despite the multifaceted conspiracy of a vested group.

She said no super power but some local evil forces are responsible for cancellation of the GSP facilities. They are spreading propaganda against the country to serve their ulterior motive, she said.

The prime minister said this in reply to a written question from treasury bench member AKM Rahmatullal during the PM’s question-answer session. In absence of Rahmatullah, independent member Hazi Selim raised the question in the house chaired by Deputy Speaker Mohammad Fazley Rabbi Mia.

The prime minister said it’s very unfortunate that the leader of a political party, also a former prime minister, suggested the US government in written to suspend the GSP facilities. She also published an article in a US newspaper tarnishing the country’s image.

“Another person, who lost his position as the managing director of a bank after a legal battle in the court, became so furious to spread falsehood against the government. Particularly, the anti-liberation forces are overwhelmingly up with their conspiracy against the country through appointing lobbyists and investing funds,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is exporting readymade garments to the US market without any GSP facility but paying tax at around US$ 850 million annually. The volume of exports from Bangladesh with GSP facility is very small in size with a benefit of only around US$ 25 million. So, the GSP is not very lucrative for us, but it’s important for our image, she said.

In view of exploring new markets abroad for the Bangladeshi products, the Prime Minister said the country’s exports are now growing constantly. Despite many obstacles and political turmoil, she said Bangladesh could achieve its export target, keeping its economy on the right track.

Urging the USA officials not to be misguided by the propaganda of the vested quarters, the prime minister said the total investment from the US in Bangladesh rose to US$ 1.2 billion during the tenure of Awami League government from only US$ 25 million in 1996.

“We had created that opportunity for them at that time and at present the USA has investment around US$ 2 billion in Bangladesh, and they should remember it,” the prime minister noted.

Sheikh Hasina said the US has tried to play with the people of Bangladesh in many ways. They had sent the 7^th fleet in 1971 in favour of the Pakistani force, but failed to thwart our victory.

Pointing out the WB’s suspension of credit for the Padma Bridge, the prime minister said without any reason they suspended the finance which the government agreed to take as loans. But they could not stop the implementation of the Padma

Bridge project, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh might be a small country, but we have liberated the country through a bloodbath under the leadership of Bangabandhu. So, the people of Bangladesh would never bow head to others, she said.

Replying to a supplementary question from treasury bench member Kamal Ahmed

Majumder, she said the people would decide whether the persons conspiring against the country’s interest and trying to foil the war criminals’ trial would be brought to justice.