Garment exports accounted for nearly 85 per cent of Bangladesh's total products sold overseas in 2016. The country's share in the global apparel market is about six per cent. Kurt Salmon, a leading global strategy consulting firm focused on the retail industry, conducted a survey on six garment producing nations: Bangladesh, China, India, Morocco, Myanmar and Turkey.

Myanmar has begun its comeback to the textile and apparel business and has the most potential to emerge as a formidable player among garment producing nations. Myanmar has deep experience in the textile industry, but it does not cover all parts of the value chain.

Bangladesh is the most attractive destination to European retailers among the six nations due to its competence in the supply of quality products at competitive prices. China is in the second position. India is the third most attractive destination, Morocco fourth, Myanmar fifth and Turkey sixth.

Cambodia is ahead of Bangladesh in terms of using more technology in production.

Bangladesh has the potential to further strengthen its relative position if production capabilities can evolve and quality can be improved while ensuring social and environmental compliance standards.

Denim apparel shows a clear move away from China, which lost seven per cent in 2014, while most other markets have been able to strengthen their position.