Bangladesh's RMG Sector Leads Exports Amid Slow Diversification

Bangladesh’s RMG sector accounts for over 80% of exports, $34.6B in FY 2016-17 (81.23%), rising to 81.49% in FY 2025, driving jobs and foreign exchange.

As the world’s second-largest apparel exporter after China, Bangladesh risks economic volatility from over-dependence on garments.

The World Bank-funded EC4J project (Tk 941 crore) aims to create 90,000 jobs in leather, footwear, engineering, and plastics, but progress (70–78%) is delayed until June next year.

Despite initiatives, exports remain EU- and US-focused (over two-thirds), reflecting slow diversification and stakeholder concern.