According to a report in local publication The Business Standard, the president of the Bangladesh Garment and Exporters Associaton (BGMEA), Faruque Hassan, said apparel exports have been declining gradually and registered a 7.52% fall in September, while knitwear dropped 9% and woven 5.66%.

This comes despite Bangladesh beating its ready-made-garment (RMG) export target for the first quarter of the current financial year, recording growth of nearly 14%.

Hassan blamed the ongoing gas and power crunch in the country, which is resulting in garment makers seeing an increase in production costs and in turn driving export orders down, warning that it could result in “serious trouble” for the industry should the situation not improve.

Growth in key markets including the US and Germany has slowed as a result of the Ukraine-Russia war, global economic instability, inflation and impact on retail markets.

Hassan said makers must focus on positioning their strengths around transparency and accountability along with increasing competitiveness.

He said presenting themselves as reliable and sustainable could see exports cross the US$100bn mark, the annual target set by the BGMEA.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest garment exporters, with the ready-made-garment sector accounting for around 84% of the country’s total exports.

In recent years, Bangladesh has increased its focus and investment on product diversification, innovation, technology upgradation and skills development in a bid to enhance its capabilities and competitiveness in the global market.

The country, which is expected to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2024, has seen a decline in poverty levels, stable inflation, moderate public debt, and a greater resilience to external shocks, including the pandemic, which saw many garment factories close during lockdowns.