Export earnings grow 6% to $17.04b

Bangladesh's merchandise export earnings rose 6 per cent year-on-year to $17.04 billion in the first four months (July–October) of the current fiscal year, according to Bangladesh Bank data. 

Export receipts increased by $960 million to $16.08 billion during the same period of the previous fiscal year.

The ready-made garment (RMG) sector remained the main driver of export growth. Knitwear exports climbed 7 per cent to $7.71 billion from $7.20 billion. Woven garment exports increased 4.8 per cent to $6 billion from $5.73 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Wigs and human hair posted the highest growth among the listed sectors, surging 86.4 per cent to $94 million.

Exports of chemical products rose 27.3 per cent to $157 million, while jute and jute goods increased 23.8 per cent to $383 million. Leather and leather products recorded a 12.7 per cent rise to $464 million.

Footwear exports also increased 9.7 per cent to $194 million and home textile exports grew 7.4 per cent to $263 million.

However, exports declined in several other categories during the July–October period. Exports of paper and paper products fell 18.2 per cent to $75 million, while agricultural products dropped 13.5 per cent to $325 million. 

Exports of frozen and live fish also decreased 10.9 per cent to $152 million. Also, cotton and cotton-related products fell 10.2 per cent to $170 million.

Source: UNB