As Bangladesh continues its decent apparel export performance negating the so-called adverse impacts of the pandemic — as per the EPB data, if the volume of exports to the US grew 46 per cent, that to Canada and European Union also witnessed a growth of 23.78 per cent and 23.83 per cent, respectively, in the first half of the current fiscal year— it has buoyed the optimism of the country’s apparel exporters.

“…Bangladesh will be able to maintain the growth if it can retain the new buyers and orders for the new products…,” reportedly, maintained BGMEA Vice-President Shahidullah Azim speaking to the media underlining addition of new buyers aside, order for new value-added products has also increased.

Earlier, interacting with the media, BGMEA Director Mohiuddin Rubel maintained overall apparel exports reached US $ 19.9 billion during the first half of 2021-22, with 28 per cent year-on-year growth.

It may be mentioned here, thanks to the pandemic, Bangladesh’s exports took a hit in 2020 before increasing by 16.46 per cent in 2021.