Garment exports from Bangladesh to Canada surged 67 per cent in five years, thanks to price competitiveness of Bangladeshi products and duty-benefit in the North American country. From $587 million worth exports in fiscal 2008-09, it has risen to $980 million in 2012-13.

Bangladesh exported garment items worth around $740 million during the first nine months of current fiscal, up from around $727 million in the same period in the previous year. Almost 95 per cent of goods exported to Canada from Bangladesh are apparel items. Total exports reached $1.09 billion in fiscal 2012-13 as against $993 million the previous year. Bangladesh has been enjoying duty-free market access to Canada since 2003.

Bangladesh also has the opportunity to export jute goods, leather and footwear items, light engineering products and agro-processed items. The country sees Canada as a promising, new market compared to other traditional markets such as the EU and the US.