According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the European Union's (EU) apparel imports from Bangladesh grew by 15.04 per cent in July-January of fiscal year 2022-23, reaching $13.73 billion, up from $11.94 billion in the same period of the previous year.

Among major EU countries, Germany remained the largest market, with a slight growth of only 0.83 per cent. Spain and France showed an increase of 18.18 per cent and 18.74 per cent, respectively. Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, and Sweden also experienced growth, with rates of 57.50 per cent, 32.93 per cent, 32.41 per cent, and 23.28 per cent, respectively, while Poland's export fell by 17.79 per cent year-over-year during the mentioned period.

On the other hand, Bangladesh's export of Ready-Made Garments (RMG) to the US decreased by 1.98 per cent compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year.

However, the country's export to the UK and Canada grew by 14.47 per cent and 19.25 per cent, respectively. Meanwhile, the export to non-traditional markets increased from $3.67 billion to $4.89 billion during the mentioned period, with Japan being the largest market, reaching $920.26 million with a YoY growth of 45.92 per cent.

Other non-traditional markets with high growth included Malaysia (92.77 per cent), Mexico (42.70 per cent), India (58 per cent), Brazil (64.14 per cent), and South Korea (37.39 per cent), according to Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).