The industry will get some benefits, which stakeholders claimed to be negligible, in one of the two possible approaches of listing the products the developed countries, mainly the US, have reservation.

In another approach, the apparel industry has the chance to get some more share of the cake.

"We'll have to study," former BGMEA president Annisul Huq, who was a member of the Bangladesh delegation at WTO Hong Kong conference, told a post-WTO press conference in Dhaka on how the industry would be affected due to the new WTO rules.

"Until now, the industry remains as it was (before the WTO conference)," he said, adding that the impact would be clear after intense negotiations to take place during the year 2006.

He explained that the products to fall under the 3 percent restricted list would be decided in one of two possible approaches -- 10-digit level or 8-digit level.

There will be some 780 apparel items in the 10-digit approach, of which 300-350 will come under the restrictive list and some 50-60 major items under the purview of the duty-free status.

But, in the 8-digit approach, the benefit will be reduced to a great extent, as the US will try to exclude major items of Bangladesh to protect its domestic industry and employment.

"It's not our pro-interest," Annisul said, as the industry is not going to get the desired benefit out of the trade agreement.

He urged the government to make vigorous effort in getting the US Trade Bill passed by the US Administration.

Asked whether the country failed to negotiate for the bigger portion of the cake, Annisul said: "It's not a one country matter." He added that the Bangladesh delegation tried to put pressure even after being understood at a stage of negotiation that Bangladesh's demand for the market access for all products was not possible.