Bangladesh is the third largest exporter after China and Vietnam. China exported finished garments worth $1.41 billion in January 2024 – down 2 percent from the same period last year.
Exports from Vietnam fell 4.76 percent to $1.20 billion. After Bangladesh, India and Indonesia come next. India exported $350 million worth of RMG products to the US, a decline of 27 percent, while Indonesia exported $300 million, a decline of 34 percent.
Other countries in the top 10 apparel exporters to the US are Cambodia, Mexico, Honduras, Italy and Pakistan. All saw exports decline by 24 percent except Honduras, which rose 22 percent to $150 million.
Although the USITC investigation is not linked to the decline in exports, it is a serious issue, said Khandakar Golam Moazzam, research director at the Center for Policy Dialogue.
He told Prothom Alo that the US is examining market efficiency in light of labor and human rights. The government and business organizations also took the matter seriously.
Khandekar Golam Moazzam said Bangladesh often makes commitments to ensure labor rights, however, the government and private sector are often slow in implementing them.
