Apparel exports from Bangladesh to the US recorded a 9 per cent growth in the first seven months of the current calendar year compared to that of the same period of 2012.Bangladesh exported 1.21 billion sq. mtr.apparel products during the first seven months of 2013 to the US market against 1.09 billion sq. mtr.during the corresponding period in 2012.
US imports from Bangladesh totaled $4.9 billion in 2012, an increase of 0.8 per cent from that in 2011 and up by 130 per cent from 2002. The five largest categories of US imports from Bangladesh in 2012 were woven apparel ($3.3 billion), knit apparel ($1 billion), miscellaneous textile products ($ 178 million), headgear ($115 million) and others ($86 million).
Bangladesh is trying hard to bring reforms in its ready-made garment sector. It aims to be one of the best apparel sourcing places in the world and to be the most competitive in the world in terms of both price and quality.
Ultimately it depends on global retailers continuing to have their confidence in Bangladeshi suppliers. And that faith doesn’t seem to have been shaken in spite of the recent tragedies in Bangladeshi apparel factories.
