An Overview of Ready-Made Garment (RMG) Sector in BANGLADESH

Apparel Production In Bangladesh

An Overview

Bangladesh is world’s most densely populated country and has the World’s eighth largest population of about 160 million people taken from the last statistics of 2012-13. Its capital is Dhaka which is known to be world’s largest cities. The beautiful country is famous for its rivers and is called “The Land of Rivers”.

It is a rapidly developing economy having Textile and Clothing (T&C) industry as a principle source of earning foreign exchange. 75% of the total merchandise exports of Bangladesh comprises of exports of textile, clothing and ready-made garments.

Women Working in a Garment Factory in Bangladesh

Approximately 4.5 million (2012) people having 80% female workers are directly and indirectly employed in the $19 billion a year industry that comes after China which is leading as a world’s largest apparel exporter of western brands.

Bangladesh largely depends upon its agriculture; therefore the RMG Sector has come out to be the major earner of foreign currency. The sector contributes significantly to the GDP and is generating not only opportunities for employment but also healthy and less risky investment for business.

The Future

RMG Exports  from 1994-2013

Bangladesh has so far exported apparel to more than 85 countries. U.S. is the main importer of Bangladesh. By the time, local investors are rapidly establishing new industries by engaging their own skilled labor and technologists. 

Bangladesh is having an edge due to its expertise in producing garment related accessories including buttons, zippers, labels, hangers, hooks, elastic  bands, butterfly pins, threads, clips, cartons etc. Regardless of the global financial crisis, RMG Sector is growing at a robust speed. 

China is giving an immense challenge to the manufacturers of apparel around the globe as they have an advantage over minimizing their cost due to cheap labor and other industrial incentives provided by their government.        

_____________________________________________