This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 12/10/2018

Overview
The export-oriented RMG sector in Bangladesh started as a small non-traditional export sector in the late 1970s.  Within three decades, RMG has transformed itself into the country’s highest revenue generating sector, contributing 81.2 percent of Bangladesh’s total exports.  From spinning to weaving, from knitwear to leisurewear and high street fashions, the textiles and clothing industry designs and produces for the world’s leading brands and retailers.  This rapidly growing sector of the Bangladeshi economy offers a unique competitive edge that supports profitable expansion into new strategic markets. 

Sector highlights:
•    Low-cost and high-quality products that are produced on time, reliably and very competitively with a skilled work force;
•    A unique regional location for expansion into key Asian and other markets;
•    Privileged trading status with Canada, the EU and Japan;
•    Clusters of companies providing a local supplier base with depth in skilled labor, training, and technical development facilities.

In FY2016–2017, Bangladesh's RMG exports reached $28.1 billion (out of $34.7 billion in total exports). Despite political instability, global competition, factory safety issues, infrastructure deficiencies and other struggles and limitations, the RMG sector continues to grow.   Bangladesh’s RMG sector has a bright future, as competitors like China are moving up the value chain, leaving value apparel manufacturing to cost effective players like Bangladesh.  However, Bangladesh has also begun efforts to move up the value chain and to produce more capital intensive products, including footwear and more complicated garments.
Amid pressure from international retailers as well as the U.S. government and European Union, many Bangladeshi factories have improved their safety standards and compliance norms.  This has also created an opportunity for exports of safety equipment.

 FY 2013-2014FY 2014-2015FY 2015-2016FY 2016-2017
Total Local ProductionN/AN/AN/AN/A
Total Exports24,491,880,00025,491,400,00028,094,160,00028,149,840,000
Total ImportsN/AN/AN/AN/A
Imports from the USN/AN/AN/AN/A
Total Market SizeN/AN/AN/AN/A
Exchange RatesN/AN/AN/AN/A

(Bangladesh garment exports market size = (total local production + imports) - exports)

Leading Sub-Sectors
Backward linkages include zippers, buttons, yarn, and other inputs. Other sub-sectors include garment and textile labels and packaging.

Opportunities
Cotton, yarn, and other garment and textile inputs; Garment and textile production equipment; Chemicals; Fire and Building Safety Equipment; Fashion and design consulting and services.

Web Resources
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA)
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA)
Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA)

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.