Last year has not been a memorable one for Bangladesh’s apparel exports but the same cannot be maintained for its home textile export.

As per figures from the country’s Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), even as apparel — apparel products bring home the lion’s share of export earnings — posted around 17 per cent drop in receipts to US $ 27.5 billion last year, export earnings from home textile products registered a 15 per cent growth to US $ 936 million (which is very close to its target of US $ 1 billion).

However, as per industry insiders, rising cotton prices can pose challenge for Bangladesh’s home textile exporters going forward even as they expressed hope that given support from the Government, home textile exports can hit the billion-dollar mark.

If we can ensure a suitable investment environment and the Government can provide support in tackling coronavirus’ economic fallouts, we have a great opportunity to grow in export destinations, underlined the Chairman of Bangladesh Terry Towel and Linen Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BTTLMEA), M Shahadat Hossain.

It may be mentioned here that home textile products include bed linen, bed sheet and other bedroom textiles, kitchen linen, curtains, cushions and cushion cover, bath linen, carpets and rugs, blankets and covers for quilts.