Bangladesh’s garment makers are looking to expand their trade with the Gulf countries.

As of now three countries, China, India and Pakistan, currently control the Gulf market. Bangladesh’s garment manufacturers’ sales in their established markets, the EU and the US, are declining amid the political crisis in Europe due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. So to grow their business they also want to focus on the Gulf markets. For one delivery times to the Gulf are shorter.

To meet demand in the Middle East, however, the industry would first need to diversify its production, which is previously limited to the production of shirts and jeans. The GCC market is diverse and Bangladesh will undoubtedly need to put in a lot of effort. Of Bangladesh’s apparel exports 60 per cent goes to the European Union and 20 per cent to the US.

The current market situation in the Gulf, where imports have been increasing for the past few years, could present an opportunity for Bangladesh.Bangladesh will have opportunities to enter it, but needs to diversify on the supply side and also needs to improve its competitiveness. About 2.5 million Bangladesh expatriates live and work in Saudi Arabia, and another 7,00,000 in the United Arab Emirates.