The demand for garments made in Bangladesh in the Middle East country is increasing steadily. This is what the top business leaders related to the industry said. They have seen Saudi Arabia as one of the largest markets of their products, as well as turning the countries of the Persian Gulf (GCC) to the market.
Saudi Arabia's media reports that the demand for garments made in Saudi Arabia is increasing, business leaders in the sector said. Bangladesh sees Saudi Arabia as one of the most potential markets to increase exports to the Gulf.
The main driving force of Bangladesh's economy is the garment sector. Bangladesh is the largest garment exporter in the world after China. More than 5 percent of the country's total export income comes from this sector. According to the latest data from the Bangladesh Export Development Bureau (EPB), the export of clothing to Saudi Arabia in the fiscal year 2021-27 has risen to $ 12 million, which is 5.7 percent higher than the previous year.
Akhtar Hossain Apurba, Vice-President of Bangladesh Knitwear Preparation and Exporters Association, said that the demand for Bangladeshi clothing among Saudi buyers is increasing, especially of products like T-shirts and jeans. “There are many potential to increase exports in the GCC region, especially in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates,” he told Arab News.
The European brand outlets in Saudi Arabia ordered Bangladeshi garment producers to send products directly to Saudi port. Apurba said, “We export to wholesale buyers, then they supply goods to various retailers in the region, including Saudi Arabia. Basically Saudi citizens are buying this garment. '
Bangladesh's garment exports to Saudi Arabia have been increasing continuously for the past few years. The exports of $ 1 million were exported in the fiscal year 2022-27, which is much higher than $ 1 million in the fiscal year 2021-27. At that time, the production collapsed due to the epidemic of Corona.
“Saudi Arabia is a potential market for export of clothing,” said Mohiuddin Rubel, former director of the Bangladesh Garment Preparation and Exporters Association (BGMEA). Because there are about 1 lakh Bangladeshi expatriates. '
Rubel said, “But our goal is not only the customers, not only expatriate Bangladeshis, but also Saudi citizens. Bangladesh is now making world -class clothing, and the Saudis are also good, they are capable of spending … they usually buy clothing from Europe and America. '
Rubel believes that high quality clothing and local Bangladeshi brands have many potential in the Saudi market. “We now need to pay attention to increasing exports in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East,” he said. Demand for reducing dependence on Europe and America. '
The former director of the BGMEA also said, “In addition to making clothing for international brands, we need to focus on building our own brand. We have some competitive benefits in the Middle East market – as the product can be reached in a timely manner, transportation costs are low … it will also increase the variety of products. '
