Bangladeshi businesses optimistic about trade growth despite global uncertainty: HSBC survey

Bangladeshi companies are showing strong confidence in expanding international trade over the next two years, even as global businesses continue to adjust to shifting trade policies, tariffs and rising costs, according to HSBC's recent Global Trade Pulse survey.

Preparedness for trade regulations has emerged as a key driver of business adaptability, allowing companies to better respond to policy shifts and adjust strategies. 

Infographic: TBS

In Bangladesh, 88% of businesses said they are informed and either well-prepared or actively preparing for changing trade regulations, slightly above the global average of 85%, although down from 90% six months ago. 

Bangladeshi businesses also reported stronger positive revenue impacts from tariffs and trade uncertainty compared to the global average of 58% to date (vs 47% globally), rising to 62% in the next six months (vs 53% globally) and 64% over the next two years (vs 58% globally).

The survey gathers insights from 6,750 decision-makers across 17 markets regarding tariffs and trade, with 250 responses from Bangladesh collected between 6 and 21 October 2025, capturing sentiment on trade and tariffs among international corporations. 

According to the survey, Bangladeshi companies are adapting to a new normal. Fifty per cent of Bangladeshi businesses say they are very confident about growing international trade over the next two years, compared to 41% globally. 

They also show a generally positive outlook on impact and revenue in the face of trade and tariff uncertainty, broadly in line with the global average, despite continuing cost pressures.

Commenting on the findings for Bangladesh, Md Mahbub ur Rahman, chief executive officer of HSBC Bangladesh, said in a press release yesterday, "Bangladesh businesses are quickly adopting to global shifts, standing out for their resilience and optimism and our Trade Pulse survey confirms the same."

"With the strength of our global network, we remain confident in connecting them with new avenues of opportunities, trade or investment alike, around the world," he added.

Diversification remains a core strategy in managing trade disruption. In Bangladesh, 48% of corporations are diversifying suppliers (+9pts vs global average), 48% are regionalising (+14pts vs global average) and 46% are buffering inventory (+8pts vs global average).

Industry data shows that 45% of Bangladeshi businesses in Transport & Industrials are increasing sales in Germany, above the national average of 38% and far above the global average of 18%. 

In the TMT sector, 41% of Bangladeshi firms are increasing sales in the UK, surpassing the Bangladeshi average of 32% and well above the global average of 18%. Meanwhile, 40% of B2C Bangladeshi businesses are increasing sales in France, slightly above the national average of 38% and significantly above the global average of 16%.

Global outlook

Meanwhile, globally, businesses are seeking new trade corridors to build resilience against instability. Europe and Southeast Asia are the top destinations for expansion (40% and 36% respectively), followed by North America and East/North Asia (both 32%). 

South Asian businesses lead in prioritising Europe, with 55% targeting expansion there. North America is the region where companies globally plan to reduce reliance the most (22%), followed by South America (16%), indicating a rebalancing of global trade flows.

Vivek Ramachandran, head of Global Trade Solutions at HSBC, said, "Despite global negotiations and shifting tariffs, businesses appear to be settling into a steady state of constant adaptation."

"Improved clarity over trade and tariffs has emboldened businesses to plan ahead, with many seeing international trade not as a risk, but as an opportunity to reinvent," he added.

Bangladeshi businesses are also actively reorienting their trade footprint across Asia and the Western hemisphere and are particularly likely to increase reliance within South Asia (+25pts vs global average). 

B2B firms are driving this shift, with 66% increasing reliance on Europe (vs 55% of B2C firms), 47% on Latin America (vs 42%) and 43% on Oceania (vs 38%). Reliance on North America is similar across both groups at 45%.