Bangladesh eyes top spot in global apparel exports: Korean EPZ founder at Investment Summit

Bangladesh currently holds the position of the world's second-largest apparel exporter as a single country. However, with the right strategies and reforms, the country is poised to climb to the number one spot, said Ki-hak Sung, founder of Korean EPZ.

"To achieve this, Bangladesh must enhance its use of technology, improve workers' skills, and establish its own production facilities for man-made fibers," he emphasised while speaking as the keynote speaker at the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 today (10 April).

He also highlighted the importance of policy support and the need for a greater number of bonded warehouses. "These will enable quicker access to raw materials, allowing manufacturers to produce and export finished goods more efficiently," he said.

Commenting on recent trade developments, Sung said, "The three-month suspension of the Trump-era tariff policy brings some relief. Bangladesh government's proactive measures in this regard are commendable."

Looking ahead, he stressed the need for value-added production. "We must focus on producing high-value garments; otherwise, it will become increasingly difficult to remain competitive in the global market," he warned.