Bangladesh wants its total exports to grow at 7.87 per cent for fiscal year 2017-18. Garments are expected to contribute $30.16 billion to the total targeted amount with 8.12 per cent growth. The country is also looking to earn $1.38 billion from the leather industry, followed by jute and jute goods at $1.05 billion and $880 million from home textile products.

These targets have been set taking into consideration the global economic outlook, policy changes in import and export destinations, the fluctuating exchange rate, stakeholders’ feedback and supply side capacity. Business leaders feel the export targets are achievable but the sectors need support, including gas and electricity connections.

Despite spending a lot on safety standard improvements, exporters, especially from the apparel sector, are not getting a satisfactory price for their products. Bangladesh’s overall export earnings in fiscal 2016-17 were 1.68 per cent higher than what they were a year ago. They were also the lowest in the last 15 years.

The lead time is very important as businesses have to import raw materials to make the products. There is another struggle to ship the products due to the congestion in Chittagong port.