Bangladesh’s apparel manufacturers feel infrastructural limitations are the major obstacles that stand in the way of more aggressive progress. They say Bangladesh’s export target of $50 billion by 2021 is possible only if infrastructural limitations are out of the way.

Garments account for over 80 per cent of the country’s net exports and are the country’s biggest export sector. The issues of gas and electricity, are major hindrances, and have been a constant complaint from Bangladeshi apparel makers, especially with a fear about a rise in the bulk tariff of electricity following the recent hike in retail power tariff. Apparel exporters are pushing for a clearer plan and strategy on energy sources.

In November 2017, Bangladesh’s apparel exports stood at $2.52 billion, up from $2.29 billion dollars in October. On the basis of the strategic apparel export target for the July-November period, net earnings (knitwear and woven garments combined) were 2.87 per cent higher than what was expected. But apparel exporters say this increase is very low and that an increase of ten per cent is possible but concentrated efforts must be focused on eliminating such hurdles. India’s garment sector is fast becoming a formidable opponent for Bangladesh on the global stage.