The textile industry has contributed significantly to the growth of the Bangladeshi economy in the last few years. The sector accounts for 80% of the country’s total annual exports, making it a crucial part of the economy.
The importance of the fabrics industry has turned Bangladesh into one of the leading exporters of textile goods. This is illustrated by trade data, which show that the country exported textiles worth over $38 billion in 2021. This makes it the second highest exporter of fabrics in Asia after China and the third highest globally.
Why Bangladesh has a Competitive Textile Sector
Bangladesh has not always been a leader in the textile sector. However, the country has become a recognizable force in recent years.
Here are factors that have contributed to this success.
Availability of Cheap Labor
The country is one of the poorest in the world, which means that the levels of unemployment are high. While this is not a positive thing, it is an advantage to the textile industry. The situation ensures the availability of a vast workforce willing to take for minimal wages.
The availability of cheap labor has, in turn, played a significant role in the growth of the country’s fabric industry. This is because companies can produce high-quality textile goods at reduced costs. They then sell them to the global market at reduced prices, thereby increasing demand for Bangladeshi textiles.
Cheap Energy
Gas energy is cheap in Bangladesh compared to most developing countries. The availability of cheap energy allows manufacturing companies to produce textile goods at a reduced cost while also running consistently.
They can then reduce the price of the final products, allowing them to compete with those manufactured in China and other top exporting countries.
Textile Import Duty in Bangladesh for Selected Goods
The importance of the textile industry to the Bangladeshi economy forces manufacturing companies to source and import raw materials from other countries. The import duty rates vary depending on the nature of imported goods.
Here are rates for some of the goods in high demand as enforced by Bangladesh Customs.
The Takeaway
The textile industry plays a vital role in the Bangladeshi economy. This creates unlimited opportunities for importing fabrics to help meet the high demand and sustain the growing economy. You can check the import duty rates for textile goods you want to import on the Bangladesh Customs Agency website.
