Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the European Union rose 45 per cent year on year during January 2022 to August 2022.

Bangladesh has a 23 per cent share in the EU’s apparel imports. The EU has played a massive role in Bangladesh’s becoming the second largest garment exporter in the world over the past four-and-a-half decades.

Just after gaining independence in 1971, Bangladesh started enjoying trade benefits under the EU's Everything but Arms initiative, which eventually elevated the country to its current position.So, suppliers are still upbeat about their potential exports once the country loses much of these benefits following its graduation from the UN's grouping of least developed countries in 2026.

Bangladesh’s garment exporters are hopeful they will perform even better after the country’s graduation.The competitive price, quality and recent developments in safety and compliance have brightened the sector's image. Besides, Bangladesh is now a global champion in the green garment category. The country is capable of catering to large quantities of goods as investors have poured a lot of money into the sector over the years. A lot of work orders are shifting to Bangladesh from China because of the recent trade war between China and the US. This includes an embargo by western clothing retailers and brands on using Chinese cotton for their products.