A visiting US Congressional delegation Sunday suggested Bangladesh appoint lobbyists to get duty-and quota-free access of readymade garments to the American market.

The four-member team thinks that Bangladesh should get the duty-and quota-free access to the US market, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni told reporters after a meeting with them in Dhaka.

“Bangladesh needs lobbyists so that they could pursue the US Congress,” she came up with the disclosure at her secretariat office, quoting the visiting lawmakers.

The parliamentary delegation led by Congressman Jack Kingston made the suggestion during their meeting with the foreign minister of Bangladesh over a lunch at the state guesthouse Padma.

Dipu Moni further said positive image of Bangladesh created in their minds after arriving in the country this time.

“Issues of duty-and quota-free access of readymade garments (RMG) to the US market, condition of Bangladeshi RMG sector and socio-economic development of Bangladesh were discussed with them,” she added.

Earlier on Saturday night, the US delegation arrived in Dhaka on a two-day visit to discuss contemporary issues, including the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facilities and the proposed Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (Ticfa) with top government officials and garment leaders of Bangladesh.

Other team members are Representative Ed Whitfield (Republican-Kentucky), Representative Scott Tipton (Republican-Colorado) and Representative Adam Schiff (Republican-California).

Earlier, the US Congressional team also called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban in the morning.

During the meeting, the US team lauded Bangladesh’s tremendous success in various sectors, including agriculture, education and women empowerment.

They also praised the contributions of Bangladesh to US peacekeeping missions by providing troops. They laid emphasis on strengthening bilateral ties between Bangladesh and the USA, said a meeting source.

Bangladesh moved up different government measures before the team to advance the RMG sector.

The US is now considering withdrawing its GSP facilities which would pose adverse impact on RMG sector of Bangladesh.