“Non-traditional markets are many and India is being looked at as an opportunity market by Bangladesh garment exporters,” says Vice Chairman & CEO of the Bangladesh’s Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), AHM Ahsan.

Apparel export from Bangladesh to India in FY 2020-2021 was US $ 421.86 million, underlines the EPB CEO who feels considering the massive size of the Indian fashion retail sector (fashion retail in India is expected to reach a staggering US $ 106.93 billion by 2026), the export was still low but owing to the severe fallouts of the pandemic in the last two years, the figures of FY 2020-2021 hint at garment exports to the neighbouring country making a comeback of sorts.

'Made in Bangladesh’ formal shirts, tops, denim trousers, undergarments, polo shirts, T-shirts and trousers have already become popular in India,” claims AHM Ahsan who credits the fast-growing middle income group in India behind the increasing demand for apparels from Bangladesh.

The fact that all leading global brands and retailers are selling apparels from Bangladesh in their outlets not to mention the local bigwigs, is testimony enough of the growing popularity of Bangladeshi garments in India, and to give boost to apparel exports, the EPB Chairman has called for exchange of trade delegation between the two countries; organising buyer-seller meet and, last but not the least, participating in trade fairs.

“India with its high economic growth is emerging as a major market and we need to tap the opportunities,” says AHM Ahsan.

Signing FTAs would also be vital from Bangladesh’s perspective and can start with signing deals with individual countries like India, Australia, Japan, etc., and simultaneously negotiating with regional blocks such as ASEAN, EEU, Mercosur, SAFTA and the like.

“We have plans to participate in Apparel Sourcing Week (ASW) 2022, a major thrust towards increasing exports to India. EPB is also looking at participating in other international sourcing events like Sourcing at MAGIC Las Vegas, Texworld Paris, Brazil International Apparel Sourcing Fair, International Sourcing Expo Australia,” concludes Vice Chairman and CEO of EPB on a positive note.