The second biggest apparel exporter globally after China, Bangladesh has registered significant growth in garment exports to Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the last year even as it looks to strengthen its position in these two non-traditional export destinations.
Reports claimed this adding as per data from the garment makers’ body of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh has shown sharp growth in exports to the region, especially Saudi Arabia, where apparel export has increased 40 per cent in the last financial year to US $ 125 million whereas, in the UAE, apparel export grew by percent to US $ 183 million.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media, BGMEA Director Mohiuddin Rubel reportedly maintained Bangladesh has been trying to increase dependency on non-traditional markets.
“So we targeted the Gulf and Middle Eastern countries,” reportedly claimed Rubel, adding “To boost our export potential to the Kingdom and other Middle Eastern markets, we have been trying to increase our presence in this region.”