The European Union's (EU) apparel imports from Bangladesh saw 15.04 per cent growth during July-January of fiscal 2022-23, $13.73 billion from $11.94 billion in July-Jan FY22, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
Germany being the largest European market fetched $4.06 billion with only 0.83 per cent growth compared to the same period of the previous year.
Export to Spain and France also increased by 18.18 per cent and 18.74 per cent, respectively.
Exports to other major EU countries such as Italy, Austria, the Netherland,s and Sweden showed growth of 57.50 per cent, 32.93 per cent, 32.41 per cent, and 23.28 per cent, respectively.
However, exports to Poland showed 17.79 per cent year-over-year negative growth during the mentioned period.
RMG export to the US during the mentioned period fell by 1.98 per cent compared to the same period in FY22.
"Bangladesh's exports to the US reached $4.98 billion during July-Jan of FY23. Our exports to the UK and Canada grew by 14.47 per cent and 19.25 per cent, respectively, compared to the same time of the previous fiscal year," Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director Md Mohiuddin Rubel said.
"At the same time, exports to the non-traditional markets increased to $4.89 billion from $3.67 billion in the same period. Among the major non-traditional markets, our export to Japan reached $920.26 million with 45.92 per cent year-on-year growth during July-Jan of FY23.''
The other non-traditional markets having high growth were Malaysia 92.77 per cent, Mexico 42.70 per cent, India 58 per cent, Brazil 64.14 per cent, and South Korea 37.39 per cent, Rubel added.
