Bangladesh is steadily strengthening its footprint in major Asian economies alongside its traditional markets in the US and Europe, signaling robust progress in the country’s export diversification strategy.
According to data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Tuesday (October 6), Bangladesh’s total merchandise export earnings grew by 6.34% year-on-year to reach $13.09 billion during the first quarter (July–September) of the current fiscal year, up from $12.31 billion during the same period last year.
This upward trajectory was propelled by notable gains across several key Asian destinations:
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China: Exports rose by 9.33% to $225.41 million, compared to $206.18 million in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.
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India: Exports grew by 5.44% to $510 million, up from $483.71 million.
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South Korea: Exports increased by 7.29% to $134.55 million, compared to $125.41 million previously.
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Japan: Exports saw a modest increase, reaching $399.11 million from $396.11 million.
Strategic Focus on Market Diversification
EPB Vice Chairman Mohammad Hasan Arif noted that bolstering Bangladesh’s standing in Asian markets requires leveraging product-specific capabilities, understanding consumer demands, and exploring new product lines.
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China: Emphasizing product diversification for China’s massive consumer base, Arif highlighted that several Bangladeshi enterprises recently participated in the 10th China-South Asia Expo and the 30th China Kunming Import and Export Fair 2026 with EPB’s backing, enabling exporters to connect with potential buyers and gauge shifting market trends.
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India: While geographic proximity and a vast consumer market present immense potential, tariff and non-tariff barriers remain significant hurdles. Arif noted that ongoing efforts are underway to address these challenges and deepen cross-border trade relations.
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South Korea & Japan: Beyond ready-made garments, untapped export prospects exist in sectors such as leather goods, footwear, jute products, home textiles, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, and light engineering goods.
Industry experts believe this growing momentum in Asian markets not only creates avenues for new product expansion but also strengthens regional trade ties, increasing Bangladesh’s integration into Asian supply chains.
