US Congressman Jim McDermott assured Bangladesh of extending his all-out assistance in passing the New Partnership for Trade Development Act at the US House of Representatives.

The law -- aimed at increasing customs- and quota-free access for least developed countries, including Bangladesh, to the US market -- is more flexible than the earlier act relating to GSP (generalised system of preference) facilities.

The US Congressman made the remarks when a Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) delegation, led by Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali, met him in the Thai capital Bangkok on Monday, according to a message received here yesterday.

The delegation thanked the Congressman for placing the bill at the US House of Representatives.

The delegation informed the Congr-essman of the possible negative impacts on Bangladesh if the bill is not passed and sought his personal assistance in the passage of the bill.

The Dhaka delegation also met with other delegations from India, Iran and Cuba and discussed matters of mutual interests and took part in general debate on world political, economic and social situation in 122nd conference of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Bangkok.

A 17-member parliamentary delegation from Bangladesh is participating in the IPU conference, which began on March 27 and will end on April 1.