Exports grow by 11% in July-February | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
July 17, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025
Exports grow by 11% in July-February

Economy

Jasim Uddin
04 March, 2025, 01:10 pm
Last modified: 05 March, 2025, 01:24 am

Related News

  • Commerce ministry engages economists, US, local firms before 3rd round of tariff talks
  • Renata earns EU GMP certification, eyes expansion in global markets
  • Taking longer to calm Gopalganj situation down as police not using lethal weapons: IGP
  • Jamaat’s 'scales' symbol included in EC website
  • Rape accused slits own throat with blade in Dhaka court during hearing

Exports grow by 11% in July-February

 Exports in February reach $3.97 billion, marking a 2.77% year-on-year increase

Jasim Uddin
04 March, 2025, 01:10 pm
Last modified: 05 March, 2025, 01:24 am

Infographics: TBS
Infographics: TBS

The country's export earnings grew by nearly 11% in the first eight months (July-February) of the ongoing fiscal year compared to the same period last year.

During this period, the country exported goods worth $32.94 billion, up from $29.80 billion in the corresponding period of the previous financial year, according to the latest data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) released today (4 March).

Exports in February this year alone reached $3.97 billion, marking a 2.77% year-on-year increase from $3.86 billion.

The data show that ready-made garments remained the primary driver of export growth. Exports of agro-processed products, plastic products, frozen food and leather and leather products increased, while exports of home textiles, jute and jute products and engineering products declined.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The export target for FY25 is $50 billion, reflecting a 12.44% increase from the previous year.

In February of FY25, the RMG sector generated $ 3.24 billion, marking a 1.66% increase from $3.19 billion in the same period of FY24, and accounting for 81.66% of total export earnings.

Knitwear contributed $1.65 billion in February of FY25, up by 3.77% from $1.59 billion in February FY24, while woven garments earnings declined 0.44% to $1591 million from $1598 million in the same month of the previous fiscal year.

In the first eight months of the current fiscal year, ready-made garments worth $26.8 billion were exported, marking a 10.64% increase compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Abdullah Hil Rakib, managing director of Team Group, said the industry has an opportunity to grow further, considering the order situation in the global market. Businesses are likely to move away from China, as the US government has increased import duties on Chinese goods, he said.

Former BGMEA president Faruque Hassan said in February, apparel export growth was very low as it was a lean period. However, overall exports have been doing very well despite some challenges over the past eight months, he said.

"We have been able to achieve double-digit growth despite the major changes in the politics following a student-led and public-supported uprising," he added.

Infographics: TBS
Infographics: TBS

Other sectors' performance

Among other major export sectors, agricultural products saw a positive growth of 7.03%, reaching $68.63 million, up from $64.12 million in February FY25.

Leather and leather goods increased by 11%, totalling $88.47 million in February of FY25, from $79.26 million in February of the previous year.

In February of FY25, home textiles experienced a slight decline of 0.23%, totalling $84.13 million, down from $84.32 million a year ago.

Export receipts from jute and jute goods fell by 11.39%, reaching $63.57 million in February of FY25, down from $71.74 million in February FY24.

Footwear exports saw a growth of 11.62%, reaching $88.47 million in February of FY25, up from $79.26 million in February FY24.

The pharmaceuticals sector also experienced a big fall by 22.55%, totalling $13.02 million in February of FY25, compared to $16.81 million in February of the previous fiscal year.

Prospects and challenges

Faruque Hassan expressed the hope that the coming months will be better, as some orders are shifting from China to Bangladesh due to the additional 10% duty imposed by the Trump administration on top of the existing tariffs on Chinese exports to the US from February this year.

Additionally, further tariff measures will be imposed on US imports from China and Mexico from 4 March.

Faruque Hassan said under the new tariff regulations, Chinese exports to the US will face an additional 10% duty, while Mexican exports will be subjected to a 25% duty. Previously, Mexican exports benefited from zero duty under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

China has also imposed a 15% duty on US cotton imports, the former BGMEA president said. "This duty measure will give an advantage for Bangladeshi spinning and textile millers to buy cotton at a convenient price."

Faruque Hassan said that in order to take advantage of this opportunity, the government should address four major issues: ensuring an uninterrupted supply of gas and electricity, lowering prices, improving customs services and strengthening law and order management.

He added that attracting new investment and securing new orders for Bangladesh depend on maintaining law and order, which remains a top priority for all. The government should take steps to stabilise the situation, he said.

Meanwhile, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem said some orders have increased over the past couple of months, but prices remain challenging for exporters due to rising production costs. Adequate utility supplies also remain a challenge for the industry to meet buyers' lead times, he said. 

Hatem added that the law and order situation has yet to fully stabilise, which is essential for restoring buyer confidence.

Kutubuddin Ahmed, founder and chairman of Envoy Textiles Mills Ltd, the world's first LEED-certified denim mill, said that they have been running their factory at full capacity over the past couple of months, thanks to the influx of additional orders.  

He also mentioned that the factory has a full order forecast for the coming months.  

Referring to the reciprocal tariff measures imposed by China and the USA, he said that while these will create new opportunities in the US market, they may also impact the price of West African cotton, which is comparatively cheaper than US cotton. "Generally, Bangladeshi millers use West African cotton to minimise their costs," he added.

Top News

Bangladesh / export / customs / NBR / growth

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Illustration: TBS
    FY26 monetary policy: To ease when is the question
  • National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam speaks at a press conference in Khulna on 16 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Gopalganj attack: Nahid demands arrest of culprits within 24 hours
  • Fake news is being spread by Pro- Awami League persons. Collage: BSS
    Pro-AL figures circulate false narratives over Gopalganj clashes: CA press wing

MOST VIEWED

  • 131 foreigners were denied entry into Malaysia by their border control. Photo: The Star
    96 Bangladeshis denied entry at Kuala Lumpur airport
  • Double-decker school buses are lined up in a field in Chattogram city. The district administration has proposed modernising the buses to ensure security and convenience for school students. Photo: TBS
    Country's first smart school bus in Ctg faces shutdown amid funding crisis
  • A file photo of people boarding the government-run Betna Express at a railway station. The train operates on the Benapole-Khulna-Mongla route via Jashore. Photo: TBS
    Despite profitability, Betna Express rail service handed over to pvt sector
  • Bangladesh Bank buys $313m more in second dollar auction in three days
    Bangladesh Bank buys $313m more in second dollar auction in three days
  • Representational image. File Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Malaysia grants Bangladeshi workers multiple-entry visas
  • People enter and loot Ganobhaban, the Prime Minister’s residence, following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on August 5, 2024. Photo: TBS
    Govt to spend Tk111cr to turn Ganabhaban into July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum

Related News

  • Commerce ministry engages economists, US, local firms before 3rd round of tariff talks
  • Renata earns EU GMP certification, eyes expansion in global markets
  • Taking longer to calm Gopalganj situation down as police not using lethal weapons: IGP
  • Jamaat’s 'scales' symbol included in EC website
  • Rape accused slits own throat with blade in Dhaka court during hearing

Features

Abu Sayeed spread his hands as police fired rubber bullets, leading to his tragic death. Photos: Collected

How Abu Sayed’s wings of freedom ignited the fire of July uprising

1d | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Open source legal advice: How Facebook groups are empowering victims of land disputes

2d | Panorama
DU students at TSC around 12:45am on 15 July 2024, protesting Sheikh Hasina’s insulting remark. Photo: TBS

‘Razakar’: The butterfly effect of a word

2d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Grooming gadgets: Where sleek tools meet effortless styles

3d | Brands

More Videos from TBS

NCP leaders safely in Khulna from Gopalganj.

NCP leaders safely in Khulna from Gopalganj.

9h | TBS Today
July 16 returns with sadness and pain

July 16 returns with sadness and pain

10h | TBS Today
China's economy not hit by Trump's tariff war

China's economy not hit by Trump's tariff war

11h | Others
News of The Day, 16 JULY 2025

News of The Day, 16 JULY 2025

13h | TBS News of the day
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net