The government is to send a high-powered delegation to Germany to urge the European country to remove a 12 percent security deposit it has imposed on Bangladeshi garment imports.

German authorities imposed the deposit in September following investigations that showed that several companies had been exporting products to European countries using fake Bangladeshi GSP (generalized system of preference) certificates.

A GSP certificate allows goods’ duty free access to the European market.

The team comprising representatives from Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) will head to Germany as soon as visa and other approvals are obtained.

The move follows an earlier recommendation from the BKMEA to arrange such a delegation to Germany. Government officials will accompany the trade representatives.

The team will urge the German government to withdraw the restrictions it imposed on import from Bangladesh, stressing that German Customs can easily find out if shipments exported carry forged certificates by tracking certificates automatically.

The team will also assure the German government that no products from Bangladesh will be exported to Germany with forged certificates.

The government will also point out that it has already introduced a new type of GSP certificate as suggested by the European Commission. The certificates are printed in Germany to protect against any possible forgery.

When contacted, BKMEA president Fazlul Hoque said that the BKMEA is seeking an immediate visit to Germany to discuss the issue with German Customs. But as the Christmas and New Year holiday coming up in Europe and the need for team members to sort of visas the visit may be delayed until early January.

Germany is the second largest importer of Bangladeshi garments and Fazlul Hoque said the issue should be resolved quickly before it impacts sales.

The 12 per cent deposit has to be paid by buyers and is only returned when the GSP certificate that comes with the garment shipment is authenticated. Its imposition in September caught exporters by surprise.

It has been claimed that the move was taken without any consultation or prior notification.

Talking with The Daily Star, EPB Vice Chairman Md. Shahab Ullah said German customs imposed the restriction on Bangladeshi exports but German importers know very well who forged the GSP certificates.

“The team can be successful in making the German authority understand that Bangladeshi exporters are not involved with such forgery,” he added.