Impacting the already lopsided balance of trade, Bangladesh’s apparel exports to China have dropped during last couple of years as some 53 items still face duty barrier.
Media reports maintained this citing the industry people.
Meanwhile, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data underlined apparel export from Bangladesh to China stood at US $ 506.51 million in 2018-19 (in a rise from only US $ 52.81 million in FY 2010-11) even as export figure declined thereafter to US $ 271.28 million in FY 2020-21 and US $ 329.96 million in 2019-20.
Further, during the first half of the current fiscal year, Bangladesh’s apparel exports to China, reportedly, declined over 21 per cent to US $ 110.39 million from what was US $ 139.81 million during the corresponding period of last fiscal.
Speaking to the media, BGMEA Director Abdullah Hil Rakib, reportedly, stated an analysis shows that Bangladesh exported US $ 506.5 million worth of garments to China in FY2018-19 and 93 items out of these exports enjoyed duty-free access, which fetched US $ 308 million, adding that garments worth US $ 198 million had to face duty on entry to China at varying MFN rates (average 16 per cent).
Through the recent WTO notification, 299 RMG items in HS8 are allowed duty-free access to China, yet 53 RMG items need to pay duty there, reportedly, further claimed the BGMEA Director adding the garment makers’ body has already informed the Government authorities concerned, including Commerce Ministry, about the matter.
