Emergence of a new variant of the Coronavirus, Omicron, cases of which are said to have been detected in large number countries across the globe already, could hurt Bangladesh’s apparel export, which is on the rise of late, apprehends the garment makers in Bangladesh.
Media reports maintained this adding the garment makers expressed the apprehensions following detection of Omicron in some of the apparel export destinations.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Executive President Mohammad Hatem while maintaining that the net apparel has export rebounded consequent to gradual increase in inflow of work orders, reportedly, added, “…there is a possibility that the net export trend would remain the same in the next quarter if Omicron does not force to impose any further restrictions.”
It may be mentioned here that reflecting what is considered strong demand for ‘Made in Bangladesh’ apparels lately following the reopening of the economies in USA and Europe, the two major apparel export strongholds for Bangladesh, Bangladesh’s exports surged in November raking in US $ 4.04 billion even as export earnings in July-November of the current fiscal year of 2021-22 grew by 24.29 per cent to US $ 19.79 billion from that of US $ 15.92 billion in the corresponding period of FY 2020-21.
Meanwhile, garment shipments between July and November, grew 22.97 per cent to US $ 15.85 billion, of which, US $ 6.87 billion came from woven items (an increase of 19.32 per cent) while knitwear shipment contributed US $ 8.98 billion, up 25.91 per cent.
The emergence of the new variant Omicron has thus caused concerns to the industry, the reports claimed.
