The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has outlined a strategic shift for the country’s ready-made garments (RMG) industry, emphasizing a move from primarily low-cost manufacturing to producing higher-value products for more sustainable growth.
During the Apex Club of Bangladesh 64th Founding Anniversary and Family Night 2025 held in Dhaka on 29th August, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu highlighted the industry’s future direction.
Addressing the industry’s ambitious export targets, Babu referenced prior discussions about reaching US $ 100 billion in exports by 2030. While acknowledging the widely cited US $ 40 billion current industry size, he emphasised that the focus should be on increasing product value rather than just export volume.
The BGMEA leader also underlined efforts to improve industry efficiency. A central database has been established to better manage the workforce and facilitate interactions with organisations like the Apex Club of Bangladesh, which provides various services.
Historically, Bangladesh’s RMG exports have been heavily dependent on a few categories such as trousers, T-shirts, knit shirts, sweaters, shirts, blouses, and underwear—mainly focusing on low-cost manufacturing. These categories form the backbone of the sector, which currently accounts for around 84-85% of the country’s total exports.
Recent data from the Export Promotion Bureau indicates that garment exports for July through April of the 2024-25 fiscal year reached US $ 40.20 billion, underscoring the sector’s critical role in Bangladesh’s economy. The industry’s future growth plan centers on value addition, aiming to make the sector more resilient and sustainable in the long term.
