Bangladesh’s garment exports to non-traditional markets have grown by 7 per cent year-on-year in the July to March period. Exports of other major products like jute increased 6.62 per cent. Exports of home textiles rose 3.47 per cent. Exports of leather goods declined 1.14 per cent.

As major markets like the US are showing positive signs, apparel exports from Bangladesh have risen, but needs to grow by 10 per cent every month in order to achieve the target $27 billion in the current fiscal year. Exports rose 7.43 per cent year-on-year in March. The figure takes the total export earnings so far in fiscal 2014-15 to $22.90 billion, up 2.98 per cent year-on-year.

The impact of political unrest would be seen three to four months later when exporters will get their payments, as garment makers bagged fewer than normal orders from retailers between January and March. The majority of Bangladesh’s production is destined for US and European markets, Bangladesh’s readymade garment industry now accounts for approximately 78 per cent of total exports, second only to China as the world’s largest apparel exporter.

However, Bangladesh has a long history of health and safety tragedies in garment and textile manufacturing.