Vietnam has surpassed Bangladesh in exporting textile and clothing products during the first six months of 2020. The country earned $13.18 billion in the January-June period by exporting textile and sewing products, according to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh fetched $11.92 billion by exporting readymade garment products during the same period, data provided by Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh show. However, both countries have witnessed a decline in their export earnings.

Bangladesh’s apparel sector has saw a sharp decline during March, April and May as production and the supply chain were disrupted due to the lockdown enforced to stop the spread of coronavirus, said Mohammad Hatem, Vice President, BKMEA. Vietnam’s production was not disrupted much by the pandemic as the country did a better job of controlling the spread of the virus. Its ability to run factories amid the pandemic also helped in this regard.