As per the BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association), the country’s RMG exports to the European Union surged 10.95 per cent from July to December (FY ’17-18). The EU is the largest garment export market for Bangladesh followed by the US. Bangladesh exported apparels worth $9.577 billion to the EU in the first six months of its fiscal 2017-18 as against $8.633 billion in the corresponding period of FY 2016-17.

The top five exporting destinations were: Germany, UK, Spain, France and Italy during the review period. Bangladesh shipped apparels to Germany valued at $2.665 billion as compared to $2.632 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17. The second spot in the tally was grabbed by the UK which imported RMG worth $1.85 billion from Bangladesh. The value posted a staggering surge of 20.70 per cent on the year-on-year basis.

Spain ranked third with $1.133 billion RMG import from Bangladesh. Last year, in the same period, Bangladesh shipped apparels worth $900 million to Spain, thereby, in the current fiscal it marked a solid boost of 25.87 per cent in the exports value. France and Italy remained at 4th and 5th spot with apparel import from Bangladesh worth $ 878.35 million and $ 743.88 million, respectively. Exports to France went up 1.09 per cent an impressive 16.18 per cent jump was witnessed in RMG exports to Italy.