TRADE & INVESTMENT

The United Kingdom is the third largest export destination of Bangladesh and the country historically maintains positive trade balance with the UK. During 2015-2016, a total of US$ 4,017.6 million worth of goods were exported to the UK which is 11.73% of total export.The major exportable items include ready-made garments, frozen food, IT engineering, leather and jute goods, bicycle, etc. of which 80% constitutes knitwear and woven garments. The country has initiated diversifying its export basket with high-end and high value-added products and shown remarkable success in exporting pharmaceutical products, computer services, ship building, electrical and electronic products across the world.

Factors contributing to the growth of export from Bangladesh.

  • Competitiveness in terms of quality and price
  • Duty free market access to EU countries under EBA (Everything but Arms) initiative
  • Increasing cost of production in China and other advanced middle income countries
  • Increasing compliance (especially in the RMG and shrimp sectors)
  • Strong backward linkages
  • Strong public-private partnership
  • High pool of young labor force with required skillsMinistry of Civil Aviation and Tourism
Year Annual Target Actual Export Growth (%) Total Export of Bangladesh UK Export as% of Total Export
2007-08 1,500.00 1,469.28 - 14,110.80 10.417
1,695.00 1,603.41 9.13 15,565.19 10.30
2009-10 1,795.90 1,652.73 3.08 16,204.70 10.20
2010-11 1,834.53 2,231.98 35.05 22,924.38 9.74
2011-12 2,555.65 2,639.31 18.25 24,287.70 10.87
2012-13 3,160.82 2,973.74 12.67 27,018.26 11.01
2013-14 3,590.66 3,143.99 5.73 30,500.00 10.31
2014-15 3,475.00 3,438.56 9.37 31,198.45 11.02
2015-16 3,750.00 4,017.60 16.84 34,241.82 11.73
2016-2017 4,315.00 3,731.14 7.12 34,835.09 10.71
2017-2018 (Jul-Aug) 3,800.00 817.9 129.6 6,628.6 12.34