Among the European Union (EU) countries, Germany alone has become a rising market for Bangladesh’s readymade garments (RMG) in recent years, next to the largest market in USA, according to apparel exporters. BGMEA data show more than US$3.1 billion apparel exports to the largest economy of Europe last fiscal year, a sharp rise with 56 percent growth over $2 billion exports a year earlier (FY 2009-10). Meantime, RMG exports to the USA reached $4.6 billion in FY 2010-11, about 27 percent growth over the total RMG exports worth $3.6 billion in FY 2009-10.
“Germany ranked top among 26 European countries by importing record quantity of RMG goods from us last year,” said Abdus Salam Murshedy, owner of the Envoy Group, a large RMG exporter of Bangladesh.
He said total value of RMG exports to European countries rose to $10.5 billion in 2010-11 from $7.1 billion in 2009-10.
Murshedy, also the former president of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said the country’s RMG exporters now look forward to fostering RMG market in Germany simultaneously with some emerging markets in Europe and elsewhere in the world. He said the BGMEA is closely working with the Center for Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries, an agency of the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to create better understanding between Bangladeshi apparel makers and European buyers to have ideas about EU markets, finding commercial partners for exporters and getting closer on all products and market related issues through direct business contacts with potential buyers.
Murshedy said as a result, Turkey in Europe is becoming a growing market for Bangladesh’s RMG products while export to other EU countries is getting bigger gradually. RMG export to Turkey grew by 69 percent last year, totaling the value $518 million, he said.
RMG exports to the UK rose by 39 percent to $1.7 billion in FY 2010-11 from $1.2 billion a year ago. At the same time, import of RMG products by France grew by 47 percent to $1.4 billion.
Data from the sector’s trade body also show that among the new and emerging markets, value of the country’s RMG exports stood at $247 million in Japan, $192 million in Australia, $94 million in Brazil, $81 million in Mexico, $52 million in China, $51.86 million in Russia, $48 million in South Africa, $47 million in Korea Republic, $35.94 million in India and $12.93 million in Chile.
In Canada, Bangladesh’s RMG export rose to $894 in FY 2010-11 from $595 million in FY 2009-10.
-With The Independent input
