The country's overall export earnings registered a marginal growth in the first half (H1) of the current fiscal year (FY), with the shipment of apparel products showing an upward trend over that of the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.
The country fetched $14.91 billion from merchandise shipment during July-December of 2014-15, marking a 1.56 per cent growth compared to the same period last fiscal, according to official data released Thursday.
However, the earnings fell short of the target set for the period by 4.42 per cent.
On the other hand, the single month earnings in December 2014 stood at $2.48 billion, showing a 4.33 per cent growth compared to that of December 2013. The earnings, however, missed the target by 0.85 per cent.
The country fetched $6.06 billion from export of knit products during July-December of this FY, showing a 1.90 per cent growth.
Earnings from woven products stood at $5.96 billion during the period under review, registering a 0.35 per cent negative growth.
However, export of both the items failed to achieve their respective target by 2.41 per cent and 7.27 per cent respectively.
President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Md Atiqul Islam said export started rebounding from November 2014, and it is expected to continue in the coming days.
"The present time is very crucial for us, as our business has just come on track. But the ongoing political impasse will definitely have a negative impact on RMG sector's export earning."
Terming 2013 as an eventful year due to various industrial accidents, he said in 2014 they have made huge investment to ensure compliance, monitoring and rebuilding image of the sector.
"Buyers are getting back their confidence, and so orders are gradually increasing," he said, expressing fear of losing orders, if the unstable political situation persists.
He demanded keeping the garment sector outside of all political activities for ensuring smooth supply chain.
Meanwhile, earnings from jute and jute goods stood at $429.52 million during the first half of current FY, showing a 9.14 per cent growth. It surpassed the target by 9.40 per cent.
Frozen food export recorded a 5.93 per cent negative growth in the period under review with earning worth $355.03 million. Leather and leather products fetched $572.65 million, but fell short of the target by 12.80 per cent.
Besides, agricultural products and handicrafts exports witnessed 23.63 per cent and 20.34 per cent growth respectively in this July-December.
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