[🇧🇩] Textile & RMG Industry of Bangladesh

[Saif]

Garment exports hit $10b as raw material import costs $4b

In the third quarter (January–March) of the current 2024–25 fiscal year, Bangladesh exported ready-made garments worth a total of USD 10.34 billion (USD 1,034 crore).

en.prothomalo.com

Garment exports hit $10b as raw material import costs $4b
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 09 Jun 2025, 13: 13

Readymade garments factory AFP file photo

In the third quarter (January–March) of the current 2024–25 fiscal year, Bangladesh exported readymade garments worth a total of USD 10.34 billion (USD 1,034 crore). During the same period, USD 4.25 billion (USD 425 crore) was spent on importing raw materials.

This means that the value addition in garment exports during the last quarter stood at 58.90 per cent while in the previous quarter, the value addition stood at 61 per cent.

These figures were revealed in the latest quarterly report by Bangladesh Bank on the ready-made garment sector. The report shows that since the fourth quarter of the 2021–22 fiscal year, value addition in garment exports has been hovering around 60 per cent.

The central bank calculates the net export or value addition in the garment sector by deducting the cost of importing cotton, yarn, fabric, and accessories from total garment export earnings. Some also refer to net export income as the sector’s value addition.

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) had inflated export figures in the last two fiscals. The export as well as the value addition rate saw a false increase then. The Bangladesh Bank brought this discrepancy in the statistics to light in middle of last year. The export data was later revised and the value addition rate in the garment sector dropped across seven quarters in the last two fiscal years in turn.

Due to the inflated export figures, value addition in garment exports suddenly jumped from 59 per cent to over 67 per cent for the second quarter (October–December) of 2022–23 fiscal year. The value addition ranged between 70 per cent and 72 per cent in the following five quarters.

However, after the data revision, it was revealed that value addition in the January–March and April–June quarters of that fiscal year had actually dropped to 62 per cent. Meanwhile, the value addition ranged between 57.5 per cent and 61.5 per cent in all four quarters of 2023–24 fiscal year.

According to the Bangladesh Bank report, the export of readymade garments stood at USD 9.51 billion (USD 951 crore) in the first quarter (July–September) of the current fiscal year while the import of raw material was at USD 3.84 billion (USD 384 crore) resulting in a value addition of 59 per cent.

Then in the second quarter (October–December), garment exports reached USD 10.37 billion (USD 1,037 crore), with USD 4.04 billion (USD 404 crore) spent on raw materials. With this the value addition stood at 61 per cent.​

 

[Saif]

BD becomes fastest-growing apparel exporter to US

Bangladesh emerged as the fastest-growing apparel exporter to the United States with the highest 29.34-percent year-on-year growth among its major peers during the first four months of 2025. The export of readymade garments from Bangladesh during the January- April period fetched US$2.98 b

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BD becomes fastest-growing apparel exporter to US
Records highest 29.34pc annualised growth among peers during four months to April

FE REPORT
Published :
Jun 11, 2025 01:02
Updated :
Jun 11, 2025 01:02

Bangladesh emerged as the fastest-growing apparel exporter to the United States with the highest 29.34-percent year-on-year growth among its major peers during the first four months of 2025.

The export of readymade garments from Bangladesh during the January- April period fetched US$2.98 billion, against US$2.31 billion in the same period of 2024, according to the data released on June 05 by OTEXA, an affiliate of the US Department of Commerce.

The growth rate also surpassed the global average growth of 10.67 per cent, placing Bangladesh ahead of main competitors like Vietnam, India and Cambodia on the US market.

US's overall apparel imports during January to April 2025 stood at US$26.22 billion, up from $23.69 billion in the corresponding period the last year.

The rise reflects improved consumer demand and the ongoing recalibration of supply chains, particularly in response to trade and tariff shifts involving China.

Vietnam, which overtook China in March 2025 to become leading apparel exporter to the US, kept its position in April as US imports from China during the period fell sharply.

Vietnam shipped RMG items worth US$5.09 billion, accounting for a 16.08- percent growth.

China remained in the second position with US$4.36 billion worth of RMG shipments with a meagre 0.6-percent year-on-year growth highlighting the effects of renewed tariff barriers and ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Talking to the FE, Fazlul Hoque, former president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), termed the growth good.

Responding to a question, he said it would take some more months or August onwards to understand the US new tariff regime's impact, saying that there is on average a 50:50 arrangement between most US buyers and local exporters that each of them would share half of the additional 10-percent duty burden for the interim period.

Exporters opine that the overall work-order situation is good despite some disruption in backward-linkage suppliers due to gas crisis.

According to the OTEXA data, China started the year with strong export performance as in January US imports of Chinese apparel reached US$1.60 billion in a 13.6-percent increase compared to the same month in 2024 while February recorded 3.0-percent growth.

In March, however, the momentum reversed with US imports falling 8.9 per cent year on year to US$826.7 million. The decline deepened in April, when imports dropped by a further 13.3 per cent to US$760.7 million.

In contrast, Vietnam demonstrated consistent and accelerating growth throughout the first four months of the year.

Vietnam's apparel exports to the US in January rose 19.8 per cent, February with modest at 2.2 per cent but in March and April recorded 20.2-percent and 23.3-percent growth respectively.

India's apparel exports rose by 20.3 per cent to US$2 billion during the January-to-April period.

Indonesia recorded a 15.61-percent increase in apparel shipments to US$1.6 billion, continuing its steady growth as a supplier to the US market.

Cambodia witnessed 19.79-percent rise in exports, reaching US$1.23 billion, during the period under consideration.

Pakistan also recorded a growth of 19.5 per cent to bag US $750 million from the US market.​

 

[Saif]

RMG sector pays tribute to Rakib

The readymade garment (RMG) sector bid a heartfelt farewell to Abdullah Hil Rakib, founder and managing director of Team Group, at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara, Dhaka, before he was laid to rest at the BAF Shaheen graveyard on Saturday. A stalwart of the industry for over three decades, Rakib died i

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

RMG sector pays tribute to Rakib

FE REPORT
Published :
Jun 15, 2025 09:37
Updated :
Jun 15, 2025 09:37

The readymade garment (RMG) sector bid a heartfelt farewell to Abdullah Hil Rakib, founder and managing director of Team Group, at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara, Dhaka, before he was laid to rest at the BAF Shaheen graveyard on Saturday. A stalwart of the industry for over three decades, Rakib died in a boating accident in Canada on June 8.

At the farewell ceremony, industry leaders gathered to honour his legacy and pledge to carry forward his unfinished dreams, particularly his vision of reaching $100 billion in RMG exports.

Former BGMEA president Faruque Hassan reflected on Rakib's lifelong dedication to family, business, and the RMG sector. "Rakib was always the first to step forward in times of crisis," he said.

Rakib served as a senior vice president of BGMEA and was deeply involved in the growth of Bangladesh's apparel sector. Md. Abul Kalam, Managing Director of Chaity Group, highlighted Rakib's ambition to elevate Bangladesh's apparel exports to $100 billion, committing to making that dream a reality.

Former BGMEA president SM Fazlul Hoque called Rakib a "shining light" with many dreams, while Quazi Moniruzzaman, another past president, praised Rakib for creating countless job opportunities.

Rakib's vision extended beyond business, including skills development, design, sustainability and branding Bangladesh globally. Asif Ashraf, Managing Director of Urmi Group, paid tribute to Rakib's vision for the nation's collective progress and better governance.

The ceremony was attended by Rakib's grieving family, including his wife Afroza Shaheen and children Mahir Daiyan and Lamia Tabassum. In a tearful tribute, Lamia pledged to fulfil her father's legacy.

Rakib's body was brought back to Dhaka on Friday night, and the first namaz-e-janaza was held at the BGMEA Complex on Saturday morning, followed by a second prayer after Zuhr at Banani DOHS. He was laid to rest at the BAF Shaheen graveyard. Rakib and his close friend Captain Md. Saifuzzaman Guddu of Biman Bangladesh Airlines died in the same boating accident in Canada.

Rakib is survived by his wife and two children. His family have been residing in Toronto for the children's education. Rakib had travelled to Canada to celebrate Eid with his family when the accident occurred.​

 

[Saif]

BGMEA signs MoU with Textilepages to enhance access to international buyers

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Textilepages.com, a global B2B platform, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sunday at the former’s Uttara office in the city. This partnership aims to empower BGMEA member factories, particularly small and

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BGMEA signs MoU with Textilepages to enhance access to international buyers

FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Jun 15, 2025 20:44
Updated :
Jun 15, 2025 20:44

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Textilepages.com, a global B2B platform, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sunday at the former’s Uttara office in the city.

This partnership aims to empower BGMEA member factories, particularly small and medium-sized exporters, by enhancing their digital presence and enabling direct access to international buyers free of charge, according to a statement.

Under the agreement, BGMEA members will gain access to key features of Textilepages.com, a leading global B2B platform dedicated to the textile and apparel industry.

It supports the broader mission of increasing Bangladesh’s export potential through digital transformation and global visibility.

Md Anwar Hossain, the administrator of BGMEA, said, “In today’s global market, digital visibility is essential for growth. This partnership will help our members, especially SMEs, connect with buyers worldwide and showcase the strength of Bangladesh’s apparel industry.”

Rahman Rob Bhuiyan, founder of Textilepages.com, BGMEA vice presidents Inamul Haq Khan Bablu and Shehab Udduza Chowdhury, among others, were also present.​

 

[Saif]

BGMEA, Swisscontact join forces

The apparel apex body, BGMEA and Swisscontact have joined forces to drive sustainable and inclusive transformation in the country’s readymade garments (RMG) sector. In this connection, Swisscontact and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Sunday signed a Memo

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BGMEA, Swisscontact join forces

FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Jun 15, 2025 20:19
Updated :
Jun 15, 2025 20:19

The apparel apex body, BGMEA and Swisscontact have joined forces to drive sustainable and inclusive transformation in the country’s readymade garments (RMG) sector.

In this connection, Swisscontact and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Sunday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the trade body’s headquarters in Uttara in the city, according to a statement.

The MoU formalises collaboration under three flagship projects implemented by Swisscontact – PROGRESS (Promoting Green Growth in the RMG Sector through Skills), InSPIRE (Initiative to Stimulate Private Investment for Resource Efficiency) and BYETS (Building Youth Employability through Skills).

The first two projects are funded by the Embassy of Sweden and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), while the third is funded by the Embassy of the Netherlands.

The MoU brings together BGMEA’s industry reach and Swisscontact’s development expertise to collaborate and promote sustainability, focusing on skills development for women and youth, environmental and social compliance, clean energy adoption, and joint outreach to support factory-level transformation in the RMG sector, added the statement.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ikramul H Sohel, Senior Programme Officer – Inclusive Economic Development of the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka, said, “The Swedish government prioritises empowering MSMEs and advancing gender equality within the RMG sector. We believe this partnership between Swisscontact and BGMEA will bring these priorities to life by catalysing meaningful, long-term change that benefits both workers and businesses.”

BGMEA Administrator Anwar Hossain said, “This MoU reflects our commitment to strengthening Bangladesh’s RMG sector by enhancing competitiveness through innovation, workforce development, and sustainability. We look forward to working with Swisscontact to create tangible impact across the industry.”

“We are excited to join hands with BGMEA to scale our efforts in making the RMG sector more resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable,” said Ishrat Fatema, Deputy Country Director of Swisscontact Bangladesh.

BGMEA's newly elected senior vice president Inamul Haq Khan Bablu and its Support Committee members Asif Ashraf and ANM Saifuddin were also present there.​

 

[Saif]

Iran-Israel conflict may affect Bangladesh’s RMG sector: BGMEA president

The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel might affect the country’s readymade garment business as the global prices of oil could rise due to the war, causing a hike in operational costs locally. “The Iran-Israel war could be a new challenge for the local garment industry, that coul

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Iran-Israel conflict may affect Bangladesh’s RMG sector: BGMEA president

FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Jun 16, 2025 19:48
Updated :
Jun 16, 2025 19:48

The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel might affect the country’s readymade garment business as the global prices of oil could rise due to the war, causing a hike in operational costs locally.

“The Iran-Israel war could be a new challenge for the local garment industry, that could result in a rise in global oil prices. And sustaining the competitiveness amid such a situation could be very challenging,” Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, the newly elected president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said on Monday.

He made the remark at the charge handover ceremony of the BGMEA held at its Uttara office in the city.

The newly elected BGMEA board of directors, led by its president Mahmud Hasan Khan, took charge of the trade body for the term of 2025-2027.​