Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir informed Parliament on Monday that Bangladesh exported goods to 202 countries during the 2024-25 fiscal year, highlighting ongoing efforts to broaden the country’s export base and reduce dependence on a single sector.
Responding to a written question from BNP lawmaker Md Mostafizur Rahman Babul in the Jatiya Sangsad, the minister said the government is actively implementing policies aimed at expanding export markets and strengthening underdeveloped sectors.
He noted that about 84 per cent of Bangladesh’s export earnings still come from the ready-made garment (RMG) sector. To reduce this heavy reliance, similar policy support is being extended to other promising industries, including leather and leather goods, jute products, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, ICT and software services, light engineering, frozen foods and fish and plastics.
According to the minister, partial exporters in these sectors have been provided bond facilities against bank guarantees under directives from the National Board of Revenue (NBR), helping facilitate production and export activities.
To encourage regional diversification, the government is implementing the “One District One Product” (ODOP) programme, inspired by Japan’s model. Under the initiative, 14 products have already been identified from 64 districts to promote local industries and export potential.
Muktadir also warned that Bangladesh’s upcoming graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status could affect preferential market access, putting roughly $17.5 billion worth of exports at risk. In response, the government has accelerated efforts to secure new trade agreements and strengthen existing ones.
Bangladesh has already signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan, while negotiations are underway for CEPA with South Korea. Discussions are also ongoing with several major partners, including the European Union, RCEP countries, the UAE, Singapore, Indonesia, China and others, for similar trade arrangements.
The government is also pursuing FTAs with regions such as GCC, MERCOSUR, Eastern Europe, Africa and East Asia, while feasibility studies are being prepared for agreements with Vietnam, Hong Kong, Turkey and Nigeria.
To promote global market access, Bangladesh is increasing participation in international trade fairs across Brazil, the Middle East, Japan, Canada, Australia, Africa and CIS countries, along with sending joint trade missions with the private sector.
The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has also expanded its activities, including organising a Global Sourcing Expo in FY 2025-26 and listing 46 international trade fairs in its calendar. The government is additionally working on alternative export support mechanisms ahead of LDC graduation to align with WTO rules and international standards.
Officials said efforts are ongoing to strengthen economic diplomacy through Bangladesh missions abroad, with commercial wings actively promoting local products and branding in global markets.
