BD loses 2nd spot to Vietnam & falls to 3rd in global garment exports, says former BGMEA President
In a Nutshell:
- Bangladesh has lost its second position in garment exports to Vietnam.
- Business leaders cited rising production costs, liquidity shortages, policy uncertainty and administrative hurdles as industry challenges.
- Manufacturers raised concerns over customs corruption and difficulties in renewing bonded warehouse licences.
Why it Matters
Bangladesh’s garment sector is the country’s biggest export earner, making its competitiveness closely tied to jobs and foreign currency earnings. The warning over Vietnam catching up comes as manufacturers face rising costs, limited access to finance and policy uncertainty, raising concerns that pressure on factories could weaken the local supply chain that has supported Bangladesh’s rise as an apparel exporter.
What We Think
Bangladesh’s garment industry did not become a global leader by relying only on factories that make clothes. It built a wider supply chain around them, and that foundation is now under pressure. If local textile producers continue losing ground, Bangladesh risks weakening the very system that helped it compete with countries like Vietnam.
