Md Tarek Hossain: Bangladesh's export sector continues its positive trajectory, recording 11.44 % year-on-year growth in March 2025. According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the country earned $4.25 billion from exports in March alone, up from $3.81 billion during the same month last year.
The growth comes amid an overall robust performance in the first nine months of the current fiscal year 2024-25 (July-March), during which Bangladesh's total export earnings reached $37.19 billion. This marks a 10.63 % increase from $33.61 billion recorded in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.
The ready-made garments (RMG) sector continues to be the cornerstone of Bangladesh's export economy. RMG exports alone brought in $30.25 billion during the July-March period, showing a 10.84 % increase year-on-year. In March, RMG shipments rose by 12.40 %, totalling $3.45 billion, compared to $3.07 billion in the same month last year.
Breaking down the RMG figures further, knitwear exports stood at $16.15 billion, a growth of 11.22 %, while woven garments brought in $14.10 billion, reflecting a 10.40 % rise. Both sub-sectors also saw strong performance in March, with knitwear growing 12.93 % and woven items increasing by 11.82 %.
Beyond garments, several other sectors contributed to the export momentum. Leather and leather goods exports rose to $852 million, registering a 9.89 % growth over the nine months and a remarkable 22.64 % increase in March alone.
Similarly, light engineering products saw impressive gains, with earnings of $402 million, representing a 10.88 % growth, and a substantial 33.32 % jump year-on-year in March.
The home textiles sector grew by 4.94 %, while specialised textiles experienced a notable rise of 19.64 % during the July-March period. Another standout performer was the non-Chapter 64 footwear category (excluding traditional footwear), which soared by 34.15 %, including a dramatic 44.03 % increase in March.
However, not all sectors shared in the success. Jute and jute goods, once a traditional mainstay, saw a 7.68 % decline over the nine months, though it managed a modest 0.28 % growth in March. The agricultural products sector faced the steepest challenge, with a 6.14 % decline from July to March, and a sharp 25.72 % drop in March alone, highlighting the need for targeted support and strategic reforms in that segment.
The EPB, in its assessment, noted that while the RMG sector remains the driving force behind the country's export economy, the strong performance of sectors like leather goods and light engineering signals potential for broader export diversification.
Despite challenges in agriculture and jute, the overall trend paints a positive picture for Bangladesh's export outlook, buoyed by resilient manufacturing, global demand for textiles, and growing capacity in emerging sectors.