Despite persistent political unrest and economic difficulties, Bangladesh’s export revenue showed surprising resiliency in the first quarter of FY 2024–25. In comparison to the same period last year, export revenues from July to September climbed by US $ 51 million, or 5.1 per cent, according to a study issued by Bangladesh Bank.
According to the central bank’s balance of payments report, overall export earnings for this three-month period were US $ 10.56 billion, which is an improvement over FY 2023–24’s US $ 10.05 billion. A slightly different picture is painted by data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), which reports overall exports of US $ 11.37 billion for the same period, up 5 per cent from US $ 10.82 billion.
During the July-September period, Bangladesh’s main export industry, the ready-made garment sector, grew by a meagre 5.34 per cent. This expansion follows major disruptions brought on by protests and political upheaval that started in mid-July. Following the overthrow of the Awami League government on August 5, the situation worsened, resulting in a significant deterioration in law and order and economic conditions that were deemed “dire.”
Particularly heavily damaged are factories in important manufacturing centres like Savar and Gazipur. According to reports, 15–20 per cent of orders were cancelled as a result of the disruptions, underscoring the difficulties the apparel industry faces in adjusting to the present economic climate.
