BD's apparel export to Japan rises three times
Friday, 18 June 2010
Monira Munni
Local apparel export to Japan has increased more than three times this year, proving the destination a lucrative one for Bangladesh.
Japan has recently reduced its dependence on import from China, and it prompted foreign RMG exporters to increase their sourcing from Bangladesh, said local manufacturers and exporters.
The country shipped knitwear worth $60.03 million during the first ten months of the current fiscal year that was $18.15 million during the same period of the 2008-09 fiscal.
Bangladesh exported woven garments worth $89.87 million during the July-April period of 2009-10, up from $40.58 million of 2008-09.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) president Fazlul Hoque said the country's apparel export growth to Japan has the potentiality to become sustainable, as cost of garment production is competitive here.
"The Japanese are coming to source more from Bangladesh recently, while exporters here are actively trying to explore new markets," he said.
Imported apparel market in Japan used to be dominated by China, which accounts for 90 per cent of total Japanese import, but Japanese importers are now looking for one more dependable source to reduce their reliance on China.
Industry experts said Bangladesh's garment shipments to Japan started to swell in the middle of the last year after the Japanese retail giant Uniqlo opened a sourcing office in Dhaka, prompting many other Japanese retailers to set their sights in Bangladesh.
"China factor" was playing the major role in swelling the growth of Bangladesh's apparel exports to Japan, they added.
Mr Haque said Bangladesh is the top candidate for being next to China, which has been the major apparel supplier to Japanese importers till now.
"The Japanese are now convinced that after decades of experience in supplying products to the vast markets like the EU and the US, Bangladesh's apparel industry is now skilled enough to cater to the customers in other regions," he said.
The BKMEA chief also said, "If we can solve some barriers of rules of origin, the apparel industry will be able to grab a larger share of the $24.0 billion market in Japan within next two or three years."
Local apparel export to Japan has increased more than three times this year, proving the destination a lucrative one for Bangladesh.
Japan has recently reduced its dependence on import from China, and it prompted foreign RMG exporters to increase their sourcing from Bangladesh, said local manufacturers and exporters.
The country shipped knitwear worth $60.03 million during the first ten months of the current fiscal year that was $18.15 million during the same period of the 2008-09 fiscal.
Bangladesh exported woven garments worth $89.87 million during the July-April period of 2009-10, up from $40.58 million of 2008-09.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) president Fazlul Hoque said the country's apparel export growth to Japan has the potentiality to become sustainable, as cost of garment production is competitive here.
"The Japanese are coming to source more from Bangladesh recently, while exporters here are actively trying to explore new markets," he said.
Imported apparel market in Japan used to be dominated by China, which accounts for 90 per cent of total Japanese import, but Japanese importers are now looking for one more dependable source to reduce their reliance on China.
Industry experts said Bangladesh's garment shipments to Japan started to swell in the middle of the last year after the Japanese retail giant Uniqlo opened a sourcing office in Dhaka, prompting many other Japanese retailers to set their sights in Bangladesh.
"China factor" was playing the major role in swelling the growth of Bangladesh's apparel exports to Japan, they added.
Mr Haque said Bangladesh is the top candidate for being next to China, which has been the major apparel supplier to Japanese importers till now.
"The Japanese are now convinced that after decades of experience in supplying products to the vast markets like the EU and the US, Bangladesh's apparel industry is now skilled enough to cater to the customers in other regions," he said.
The BKMEA chief also said, "If we can solve some barriers of rules of origin, the apparel industry will be able to grab a larger share of the $24.0 billion market in Japan within next two or three years."