Experts agree that Asian markets in China, India and Japan will help Bangladeshi clothing exporters increase exports in coming days with recent export changes at traditional US and EU strongholds. While China offers the largest domestic clothing market after the US, Bangladesh’s exports to India will hit $115 billion by 2026.

Asiv Ibrahim, Managing Director, Newage Group, therefore advises Bangladesh manufacturers to create contacts with prominently Indian retailers and build a long-term relationship based on mutual confidence and profit. Shahidullah Azim, Ex Vice-President, BGMEA, adds that the increased costs of production in India following the introduction of the goods and services tax (GST) can provide a further boost to clothing imports from Bangladesh.

In addition, Bangladesh should concentrate more on Asian markets to revive its export revenues amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Asian markets, especially India and China, are very relevant from the export perspective of Bangladesh, says Mustafizur Rahman, Center for Policy Dialog (CPD). In addition, China lately became Bangladeshi RMG makers’ main export destination. Bangladeshi textile exporters were making steady incomes into China and exporting cotton-based textile to China, says Mohammad Hatem, Vice-President, BKMEA.