Cement export by river to NE India set to begin

Bangladesh is going to bulk export cement by river to northeast India to exploit the huge market potential of the region.

A ship laden with 450 tonnes of 9,000 bags of cement will start from Meghnaghat, some 30 kilometres southeast of Dhaka, for Guwahati of the Indian State of Assam within a week, industry sources said.

‘We have completed all procedures to begin exporting cement by river,’ Shankar Kumar Roy, a senior official of Holcim Bangladesh, told New Age on Saturday.

Holcim, a Switzerland-based cement giant, plans to ship around 3,000 tonnes or 60,000 bags of cement every month to Guwahati, he said.

Cement export from Bangladesh to India started in 2004 and Holcim has been sending around 1,000 tonne cement a month mainly to Tripura by trucks.

The company now has a ready market for 7,000 tonne cement a month in Tripura, Shilchar and Guwahati, Shankar said.

The present market demand for cement in northeast Indian states is around 3 million tonne while the local production stands at around 1 million tonne only. These states bring cement by road from distant Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Bihar states. Bangladeshi cement has a competitive advantage there due to its lower transportation cost, industry sources said.

There are about 60 cement factories in Bangladesh with a 30 million tonne production capacity. Only half of the units are in operation and produce about 7 million tonne cement to meet the local demand, the sources said.

Holcim has three cement factories in Bangladesh that can produce around 80,000 tonne a month. Its officials feel Indian market may boost Bangladesh’s cement industry by making way for utilising its full capacity.

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html

Bangladesh's Export Target Proposed $13.50 Billion For FY08

The state-run Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh. It will fix the country's export target for the current fiscal cycle at $13.5 billion, officials say in the capital, Dhaka on Sunday.

"We have estimated the export target in consultation with all stakeholders," an EPB senior official told AHN in Dhaka. He added that the EPB was hopeful of achieving the export target.

The concerned authorities, while fixing the country's export target, took the prevailing situation in other countries in the region into consideration, particularly the apparel sector, they added. Those other countries included Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and India.

The export target has been calculated on the basis of the last fiscal's export performance. In fiscal year 2006-07, Bangladesh export earnings stood at $12.18 billion. That was 2.6 percent lower than the target of $12.50 billion set for the year.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008243560

Bangladesh export earning rise 16 pct in last fiscal

Bangladesh export earnings increased by about 16 percent to over 12 billion U.S. dollars in the last fiscal (July 2006-June 2007) as compared to the previous fiscal year, mainly riding on significant rise in the volume of exports.

The earnings, however, fell 2.6 percent short of the period's target of 12.5 billion U.S. dollars, reported private news agency UNB quoting the figures released by Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau Monday.

The volume of exports increased also by 16 percent during last fiscal while overall prices fell by about 1 percent from the 2005- 06 fiscal.

The export growth in manufacturing sector (16 percent) has been better than the primary products (about 8 percent) during the period.

As in last couple of months, export growth also declined June this year to register only 9.5 percent rise. The overall export growth was over 20 percent till March 2007, but started to decline from April this year.

Woven garments, frozen food, home textile, engineering products, footwear, handicrafts and other manufacturing goods and primary commodities registered growth in the last fiscal, crossing the period's target as well as previous fiscal year's performance.

Knitwear, leather, chemical products including pharmaceuticals, ceramic products and computer services crossed the 2005-06 fiscal performance, but fell short of the 2006-07 fiscal target.

The worst performers both in terms of failing to achieve the period's target and previous fiscal year's performance were jute goods, raw jute, agri-products, petroleum byproducts, bicycle, textile fabrics, electronics and tea.

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90778/6227430.html

Bangladesh tea export likely to be doubled this year

Bangladesh's tea export is likely to be doubled this year due to higher production, thanks to a favorable weather, local newspaper The Financial Express reported Sunday.

Planters said the export of tea might reach nearly 7.0 million kilograms this year against 3.0 million kg in the previous year. The target of tea production has been set at 58 million kg for this year.

"We are expecting to achieve the target of tea production this season and tea export volume will definitely rise," said Shantanu Biswas, Chairman of Tea Traders Association of Bangladesh. He said better weather had contributed to higher production this season.

The domestic market consumed around 48 million kg of tea last year. Tea producers said the demand for tea might rise to around 50 million kg this year.

A bumper production of 60 million kg of tea was recorded in 2005.

The country's around 150 tea gardens, located mainly in northeastern Sylhet and southeastern Chittagong districts, were hit by drought in 2006 when production fell to 53.8 million kg.

Bangladesh exports tea mainly to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Middle East countries.

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90778/6248167.html

Shrimp export up 13pc in FY07 on hygiene compliance

Bangladesh's shrimp export increased 13 percent in 2006-07 fiscal year after a decline in 2005-06 as the country's exporters ensured hygiene.

"Bangladeshi producers are ensuring hygiene compliance, making the country more competitive in the global shrimp market," said Ehsanul Matin Panni, an exporter.

The demand for Bangladeshi shrimp is increasing in European and USA markets as a hygiene compliant product, Panni added.

Bangladeshi shrimp received an additional price of about 37 cents for each pound unit in 2006-07 compared to 2005-06, thanks to the growing demand and reputation, according to Export Promotion Bureau statistics.

Bangladesh earned $ 456.98 million in FY07 against $403.82 million in FY 06.

The export earning was $420.74 million in 2004-05 fiscal year and $390.25 million in 2003-04 fiscal year.

The US was the single largest market for shrimp worth $175.32 million in FY07.

Industry sources said Bangladesh supplies only 2.5 percent of global shrimp demand.

Producers have to spend a huge amount of money on ensuring hygienic compliance at every step from farming to processing.

Exporters said Bangladesh has the potential to increase its shrimp farming land to grab more chunks of world shrimp market.

Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, India and China are the world leaders in shrimp exports.

Annual shrimp demand is increasing by 10 percent as consumers mainly from the US and Europe prefer aquatic foods.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=2112

Frozen food exports fetch record earnings

Bangladesh has earned Tk 35 billion (3,500 crore) by exporting frozen food during last fiscal year (2006-07), breaking all previous records.

In 2005-06 fiscal year, the country had earned Tk 30 billion (3,000 crore) from the sector.

President of Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters' Association (BFFEA) Kazi Belayet said this while addressing a view exchange meeting on development of shrimp industry Sunday.

Bangladesh earned about Tk 25.00 million by exporting frozen food in 1972-73 fiscal year, Tk 1.57 billion in 1975-76, Tk 6.50 billion in 1980-81 and Tk 19.57 billion in 2000-2001.

BFFEA leaders said 80 per cent of the shrimps are exported from Khulna.
There were only nine export-oriented fish processing factories in Khulna and Chittagong in 1971. But now there are some 130 factories, 65 per cent of which are situated in Khulna.

Frozen foods are exported to some 40 foreign countries, including UK, USA, Canada and Japan.

According to BFFEA, at present prawns are cultivated on 0.14 million hectares while lobsters on 30,000 hectares. BFFEA leaders sought cooperation in developing shrimp cultivation methods and increasing production in the factories.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=9869

Geeteara sees $120m retention through cement exports
Niloy Cement Clinkerisation Industries starts operation

Industries adviser Geeteara Safiya Chowdhury said Bangladesh could earn at least Tk 850 crore net value retention through exporting cement.

If the country exports 12 million tonnes and earns net $10 per tonne, the exporters would earn $120 million or Tk 850 crore per year, she said.

‘The potential of cement export, especially to India, is very high,’ the adviser said at the inaugural ceremony of the Niloy Cement Clinkerisation Industries in Jessore on Sunday.

The Tk 20-crore cement raw-material processing plant is owned by Bangladeshis with annual capacity of 70,000 tonnes and is eying to the lucrative market in India.

Geeteara said the new industrial unit would add more value to local cement productions.

‘I will pursue the government to ensure gas supply to the project and provide bond facility for exporting cement,’ Geeteara said.

Nitol-Niloy Group chairman Abdul Matlub Ahmed said if the government provided bond facilities, the industrial unit would export its total production of finished products to India that offers zero duty on cement.

The country’s cement sector has over 60 grinding units with production capacity of about 20 million tonnes but local market consumes only 8 million tonnes.

Matlub said more such clinker units were needed as many factories had become sick or run under-capacity as costs of raw materials and freights had risen sharply in the international market.

Niloy employing around 150 people procures limestone from Meghalaya.

Matlub urged the government to allow the industrial unit to procure limestone from the abandoned reserves in Tekerhat of Sunamganj and ensure coal supply to the processing units.

Faridul Hasan, director general of the Export Promotion Bureau, Sudhakar Dalela, counsellor of the Indian High Commission, and Abual Hossain, deputy commissioner of Jessore, addressed the ceremony, among others.

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html

Pran signs $2m export deal with Senegal firm

Local company Pran has signed an export agreement worth $2.04 million with Senegal-based Poultrade to export its juice and drink products and confectionery items to the western African country.

Hasan Mahbub, chief of Pran Export, and Wassim Hoballah of Poultrade, signed the deal yesterday in Dhaka, says a press release.

Under the deal, Pran will export its juice and drink products in packs, cans and plastic bottles. Poultrade has also shown interest to import spice, pickle, jam, jelly and other products from Pran.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=3676

Duty-free Export Of 8m Pieces Of Apparels To India
RMG makers hope high as Dhaka, Delhi sign MoU tomorrow

Local apparel exporters have high hopes as Dhaka and New Delhi sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) tomorrow on duty-free entry of eight million pieces of Bangladeshi apparels into India a year.

The garment exporters see the move as a step forward to enter an alternative market, which will ease dependence on the traditional US and European markets for readymade garments.

Abdul Wahab Mian, joint secretary, commerce ministry, and Mukta D. Tomar, deputy high commissioner, Indian High Commission, will sign the MoU on behalf of their countries in Dhaka.

Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said although the quantity of export is very negligible in terms of total export of the country, in the long run India may emerge as a major export destination for Bangladesh.

Fazlul Haq, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said India holds potential to become a major readymade apparel market for Bangladeshi exporters.

Annisul Huq, former president of BGMEA, said the process of exporting garments under duty-free arrangement should be transparent.

Earlier, the council of advisers last month approved the modalities of the MoU.

After the MoU is signed, documents will be sent to Indian authorities. It will not take more than one month to start export of the duty-free RMG products to India, commerce ministry sources hoped.

Although India made the offer two years ago under the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (Safta) framework, the authorities took time to reach a consensus on modalities for export.

As per the final decisions, Bangladeshi exporters are now free to export the RMG products made of either Bangladeshi or any other country's fabrics.

According to the primary proposals by India, a portion of RMG products from Bangladesh should have been made by Bangladeshi fabrics and the rest ones by Indian fabrics.

Under the new proposals, the restriction on export of these items through some six specific land ports goes and the sea, air and land routes may be used for export.

Indian Commerce Minister Kamal Nath in 2005 promised to Bangladesh that his country would allow a duty-free entry of its eight million pieces of RMG products to boost bilateral trade.

Bangladesh's exports hit over US$ 12 billion last fiscal year (2006-07) with around 75 percent of the earning coming from the readymade garment sector.

The major export destinations for the $10 billion industry are the US and Europe.

The country's garment entrepreneurs are eagerly looking for alternative markets to reduce their dependency on limited markets.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=4039

Bangladesh gets $10.13m order at fair

Bangladesh received prospective order worth 10.13 million dollar, excluding spot order of 0.05 million dollar, at the 76th IZMIR International Fair in Turkey. The Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh, in association with the Bangladesh embassy in Ankara, took part in the exhibition that began on August 31. Five Bangladeshi manufacturers-cum-exporters, out of the 268 organisations from 36 countries, participated in the trade show, said a press release. Exportable products, including jute goods, textile products, gent’s and lady’s wears, baby wear, scarf, blazer, bed sheet and handicraft items were put on display at the Bangladeshi stalls in the fair. The Bangladesh pavilion attracted a large number of visitors and potentials buyers.

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html

^^Great

MoU signed with India on exporting 8m pieces of RMG

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on procedural arrangements for import of eight million pieces of readymade garment (RMG) by India from Bangladesh on preferential tariff rate under South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) was signed Sunday.

Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Abdul Wahab Mian signed the MoU on behalf of Bangladesh government, while Deputy High Commissioner of India Mukta D Tomar signed it for India.

Commerce Secretary Feroz Ahmed and Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty were present during the MoU signing ceremony at the conference room of the commerce ministry in the secretariat.

As per the MoU India will import 8.0 million pieces of apparel items from Bangladesh in one calendar year duty-free without any conditionality of sourcing of fabrics or port restrictions.

Welcoming the MoU the commerce secretary said: "This is an important step in providing improved market access for products from Bangladesh into India in order to address the existing trade imbalance in bilateral merchandise trade."

India is the second largest trading partner of Bangladesh next to China in terms of both import and export, said Feroz Ahmed.

"But export to India from Bangladesh is not so significant," he said adding, "We import about US$2.0 billion but our export to India is less than $300 million."

The commerce secretary, however, lauded the announcement by India at the 14th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit held in New Delhi in April 2007 to provide duty-free access to products from the least developed countries (LDCs) including Bangladesh by 2007.

Commenting on the MoU the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh said "It is an important milestone in our trade relations."

"Signing of the MoU reiterates our commitment to providing improved market access of products from Bangladesh to India," said Pinak adding, "the procedural arrangement cover a total 185 tariff lines at six digit level."

He said India is the 10 the major destination of exports from Bangladesh in 2006-07 and the largest in the developing countries.

"Exports from Bangladesh to India have gone up by 480 per cent in the last five years, whereas its global export have gone up by only 104 per cent in the same period," said the Indian High Commissioner welcoming the trend.

The government has decided to improve trade infrastructure and develop integrated check posts at seven land customs stations for facilitating trade, he said.

To augment trading of more products between these two countries, a separate MoU will be signed between Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) of India and Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) of Bangladesh in June next, he said.

"India recognises the need for addressing the trade imbalance and both sides are looking at ways and means to bridge this gap," Pinak R Chakravarty said.

Apart from the senior officials of the commerce ministry and Indian High Commission representatives from Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) were also present during the MoU signing ceremony.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=11469

Dhaka gets export order worth $13m

Bangladesh got export orders worth 13 mi1lion dollars at a four-day ‘IFMA Cologne Show’ in Germany held on September 13-16, said a press release.

The Export Promotion Bureau and two Bangladeshi companies — Trans-world Bicycle Co Ltd and Meghna Bangladesh Ltd — participated in the fair.

IFMA Show is known to be the biggest event to introduce light engineering products to the buyers of German as well as other European and North-American countries.

Most of the major light engineering exporting companies around the globe took part in the exhibition.

The two bi-cycle manufacturing and exporting companies of Bangladesh participated in the fair under the auspices of Export Promotion Bureau.

EPB has been organising Bangladesh’s participation in IFMA Show on regular basis for the last few years with a view to popularise Bangladeshi made different types of bicycle to the European buyers.

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html

Bicycle makers bag $5.5m export orders from German show

Two Bangladeshi bicycle making companies have bagged $5.5 million export orders from the recently concluded IFMA Cologne Show in Cologne, Germany.

On top of the confirmed order the companies are also expecting another $7.5 million order, says a press release.

The two bicycle manufacturing and exporting companies -- Trans-world Bicycle Co Ltd and Meghna Bangladesh Ltd -- took part in the fair under the auspices of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

The IFMA Show is known to be the biggest gathering to introduce light engineering products to the German buyers and other European and North American buyers.

Many of the prominent light engineering companies around the globe took part in the four-day fair that concluded on September 16.

A wide range of bicycles and accessories were put on display at the Bangladesh pavilion that attracted a good number of reputed buyers, the release adds.

The two companies displayed bicycles including all terrain bikes, BMX bikes, boys'/girls' bicycle, children bicycle, city bikes, folding cycle, mountain bikes and trekking bikes.

EPB has been maintaining Bangladesh's participation in the IFMA Show on regular basis for the last few years to popularise different types of Bangladeshi bicycle to the European buyers.

The fair provided a good ground for making new business contacts with renowned bicycle importing companies, and 50 new business contacts were made during the fair.

By participating in the IFMA Show Bangladeshi companies got the opportunity to know about the products and quality of their competitors, the EPB press release adds.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=6402

RMG exporters get $1.7m orders in Moscow fair

Readymade Garments companies of Bangladesh received export orders amounting to about 1.7 million US dollar in the federal trade fair for apparel and textile in Moscow in September.

Fifteen Bangladeshi companies, of which 14 are members of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), took part in the fair titled "Textile Leg Prom" from September 17 to 20 in the Russian capital, said a press release of Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Thursday.

Readymade garments like shirts, t-shirts, woven shirts. polo shirts, single and trouser, pant, ladies blouse, pullover, cardigan, socks, bonar shirts, sweaters, suits, blazers, and fleece. were exhibited in the fair.

The main objective of the fair was to explore export potential of Bangladeshi products in Russian Federation and neighboring countries, said the EPB press release.

The fair drew a good number of expatriate Bangladeshi businessmen, Russian visitors and buyers, and created tremendous enthusiasm for the showcased Bangladeshi products.

Meanwhile, a Bangladesh delegation comprising Mohammed Abdul Quadir, Commercial Counsellor to Moscow, A M M Azhar, Director (Fair), EPB and Pavilion Director Shahidul Haque Mukul, Director of BGMEA called on Pavel I. Gorbatsevich, Executive Vice President of the Bank of Moscow.
They discussed bilateral banking issues. Ferdous Perves
Bivon, Vice President of BGMEA, Mohammed Abdul Quadir, Commercial Counselor to Moscow and A M M Azhar, Director (Fair), EPB also met with the officials of Moscow Chamber and Commerce and Industries and discussed bilateral issues including possibility of providing GSP facilities to Bangladesh to enhance Bangladesh exports to Russia.

Bangladesh's participation in the Moscow trade fair created a huge opportunity for Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to explore prospective export markets in the Russian Federation.

It is expected that through the participation in this fair, Bangladesh would be able to diversify its export market in Russian Federation and neighboring East European countries, the press release added.

http://www.thebangladeshtoday.com/back%20page.htm

$14.5b export target set for current fiscal

The government has set the country's export target for fiscal 2007-08 at $14.50 billion, a rise of 19.07 per cent over the previous fiscal.

An inter-ministerial meeting, headed by adviser of the Ministry of Finance and Commerce, AB Mirza Md Azizul Islam, approved the export target Tuesday.

Secretaries of the ministries concerned and leaders of the leading chambers and trade associations, among others, were present at the meeting held in the secretariat.

The country fetched $12.18 billion against the export target of $12.5 billion in fiscal 2006-07.

The government has also set export targets for the Bangladesh embassies abroad.

The meeting also reviewed the export performance of various sectors and that of missions abroad in 2006-07.

Sources said during the meeting the commerce adviser asked the ministries concerned to extend all-out support to the exporters to help achieve the target through diversifying the traditional export baskets.

Fazlul Hoque, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), termed the export target a bit ambitious saying cooperation from the missions abroad can help achieve this target.

"We have already asked our two line ministries - the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - to support the exporters in their efforts to increase volume of export," an official who attended the meeting quoted commerce adviser AB Mirza Md Azizul Islam as saying.

The official also said that the finance adviser expressed the government's concern on the performance of the mission officials and asked them to be more accountable and dynamic in discharging their duties and responsibilities considering the economic interest of the country.

When asked, he said state-owned Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), which could not release the export performance for the first three months - July, August and September - due to non-fixation of export target, will be able to make the export performance report public soon.

Sources said the country's overall export during the last three months might have fallen compared to that of the previous year.

However, export target for the country's industrial products has been set at $13.53 billion against $11.34 billion of the previous fiscal.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=14316

Pran signs $2.5m export deals

Pran, a leading food company, yesterday signed US$ 2.5 million deals with two companies to export its products to Middle East.

Under the agreements, Ahmed Al Wadaani Est Trading will import Pran products worth $ 1.5 million for KSA market for one year, while Aspen Trading and Contracting Co will import Pran products worth $ 1 million for one year for Qatar market.

The agreements were signed by Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, deputy managing director of Pran-RFL Group, Abul Kashem, representative of Ahmed Al Wadaani Est Trading, and Abdul Wadud, representative of Aspen Trading and Contracting Co, at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Last month Pran signed an export agreement worth $2.04 million with Senegal-based Poultrade to export its juice and drink products and confectionery items to the western African country.

In February 2006, Pran also signed a US$ 1.5 million export agreement with a Saudi Arabia-based importing agency.

Saudi Arabia-based Marjook A. Al Harbi Trading EST signed deal with Pran to buy food items including aromatic rice, spices, mustered oil, fruit drinks, and tea.

Pran exports its products to more than 64 countries in Asia, Europe and America.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=8211

BGMEA hopes to push garment export to $18b in next 3 yrs
Batexpo-2007 set to kick off Nov 15

Setting an export target of readymade garment (RMG) worth $15-18 billion dollars in next three years, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) is going to hold its three-day apparel and textile exhibition here on November 15.

During the last fiscal (2006-07), the sector earned US$ 9.2 billion.

BGMEA President Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury told members of the Overseas Correspondents Association (OCAB) that the exhibition called Batexpo-07, the largest textile fair in the Asia Pacific region, would facilitate foreign buyers to see Bangladeshi textiles, clothing and accessories.

He said significant number of buyers particularly from USA, Canada, UK, Middle East, Southeast Asia and many other countries of the world participated in previous Batexpo fairs.

Buyers from Pakistan, India, China, Japan, Hong Kong and host Bangladesh will display their products in the exposition for which 41 different companies have already registered.

The BGMEA president hailed US Congressman Jim McDermott for introducing a bill, “New Partnership for Development Act 2007”, in the US House of Representatives on October 18 to facilitate more market access of RMG products from the LDCs, including Bangladesh, to the US market.

He said BGMEA would send an 11-member delegation to USA to discuss with the US Congressmen, including Congressman McDermott, and officials of USTR and labour organisations so the bill is passed by both the House of Representatives and Senate.

Although China, India and Sri Lanka are major competitors of Bangladeshi garment products, the BGMEA president said Bangladesh would be the main source of RMG export in the ultimate analyses, mainly in low and medium price garments.

In reply to a question, Chowdhury said export of garment worth US$ 8 million to India is a starter, saying that in the near future India could be the third largest destination of Bangladeshi RMG after USA and Europe.

He dismissed campaigns in UK against Bangladeshi garments for alleged child labour and low wages, saying that the campaigners could not produce any evidence in support of their allegations.

However, Chowdhury said BGMEA is now giving attention to human resource development, image building and improved relations between entrepreneurs and workers.

Presently some 2.4 million people, 80 percent of them women, are directly employed in the garment industry in Bangladesh.

In reply to another question, the BGMEA president said buyers this time around would feel more confident in participating in the exposition because there is no political unrest.

The value of last year's spot order was US$ 68.61 million, about 12 million higher than the previous year. The organisers expect more spot orders this year.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed will inaugurate the exposition as chief guest at Sonragaon Hotel on November 15 and Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed will be the chief guest at the concluding ceremony.

On the sidelines of the 3-day exposition, there will be seminars and fashion shows spotlighting the country's vibrant and burgeoning RMG sector.

BGMEA with assistance from German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) is organising the exhibition.

This traditional annual exhibition provides an opportunity for Bangladeshi RMG enterpreneurs and their foreign buyers to meet and interact for further boosting the country's apparel and textile sector which is a top foreign exchange earner.

The BGMEA president said Bangladesh's RMG sector is competitive enough in terms of quality, prices and skilled workforce and it is possible to raise the level of exports to US$ 18 billion a year.

The world apparel market is worth US$ 500 billion, which in next few years is going to reach US$ 800 billion. Such burgeoning global market, Chowdhury said, would give Bangladesh newer opportunities to export more.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=8916

$3.29m export orders from Tokyo fair
Japan assures Bangladesh of support for duty-free access

Bangladeshi companies have received export orders worth 3.29 million US dollars at the Bangladesh Single Country Trade Fair held in Japan last week.

The orders include handicrafts, jute products, home textile and ready-made garment (RMG) items.

At the inauguration of the exhibition, the Japanese vice-minister for Foreign Affairs assured active support and cooperation for giving Bangladeshi products 100 percent duty free access into the Japanese market.

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) with financial and technical support from Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and in close association with the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo organised the fair in the Japanese capital between October 22 and 25, according to a press release.

Bangladesh organised such single country fair in Tokyo after an eight-year gap amid huge enthusiasm among the local exporters.

A three-member official delegation from Bangladesh, headed by EPB Vice-Chairman M Shahab Ullah, attended the inauguration of the fair.

Bangladeshi products displayed in the exhibition created significant interests among the Japanese businesses and importers.

Meanwhile, a business delegation from Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Japan (BCCIJ) will visit Bangladesh shortly to organise Japanese Single Country Trade Fair in Dhaka.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=9507

Bangladesh gets $1.07m export orders in HK fair

Bangladesh entrepreneurs have fetched export orders worth US$1.07 million by taking part in the China Sourcing Fair for Gift and Home Products in Hong Kong.

Of the total order, $0.27 million was fetched as spot order and $0.8 million as prospective export order.

The fair was held from October 20 to October 23. Bangladesh took part in the fair for the first time, according to a press release.

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) in association with Bangladesh consulate in Hong Kong arranged Bangladesh participation in the fair.

Consul General of Bangladesh in Hong Kong AFM Gousul Azam Sarker was present at the opening ceremony.

A large number of visitors and prospective buyers visited the Bangladesh pavilion and showed keen interest in Bangladeshi products.

Bangladeshi entrepreneurs exhibited handicrafts made of jute, natural plants and leather.

About 3700 different companies including six Bangladeshi companies participated in the fair, the release added.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=16477

Processed food export posts striking growth

Bangladeshi manufacturers have been making strides in strengthening and expanding their position in the multibillion dollar global market of processed food items with their export proceeds posting a 119 per cent rise in the last fiscal year.

The industry people hope the annual earnings from export of processed food items will be more than $60 million in the current fiscal year and cross $100 million mark in the next fiscal, with the industry leader, Agricultural Marketing Company, alone targeting to earn $30 million by 2009. The company’s export earnings were $10 million in 2006.

‘We have targeted our annual export proceeds at $30 million by 2009,’ Hasan Mahbub, manager of the AMCL export division, told New Age.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau, agro-processed foods, including spices, puffed rice, biscuits, candies, jam, jellies, and fruit juice, had grown by 119 per cent over FY2006-07 to $23 million.

‘The figure seems tiny now as, excepting one company [AMCL], the achievements of other exporters are yet too insignificant,’ said a director of the EPB.

However, some other companies also have become serious in exploring export markets and the bureau senses that many of them will eventually become bulk exporters within a year or two, he said.

At present, the AMCL which markets its products under Pran brand accounts for more than 50 per cent of the country’s total export proceeds from agro-processed foods.

According industry sources, only 15 of the country’s 200 modern agro-processing units have seriously explored the export markets.

‘Long-term vision and effective marketing efforts are essential for new companies to gain space in export destinations,’ said Hasan Mahbub, adding, ‘We have found a highly potential market in Africa with the taste, choice and consumption of the people there complementary to our business.’

Mahbub said India would be a very potential market too, only if it did not have so many tariff and para-tariff barriers.

According to him, lack of advanced and attractive packaging facility and high freight costs are two factors that affect the competitiveness of Bangladeshi exporters and force them to lag behind their counterparts of India, China, Thailand, and Pakistan.

He said, ‘While an Indian exporter needs $500 to ship a container of food items, for a Bangladeshi exporter the cost is $1500.’

The Export Promotion Bureau’s list of agro-processed foods does not include frozen beef, mutton, chicken, and mustard oil, the exports of which have been growing in recent years, industry sources said.

The list also excludes agricultural produces like fresh vegetables, spices, fruits, betel nut, refined edible oil, and tobacco. The country earned $88 million by exporting these produces in FY07.

The agro-processed foods segment also does not include the ready-to-cook shrimps that are being increasingly exported from Bangladesh. Frozen shrimps and fish, that account for the second largest chunk of the export earning pie, after apparels, earned $512 million in the last fiscal year.

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html

Oman to import medicines, RMG, cosmetics from Bangladesh

Oman's business leaders Saturday said they are interested in importing medicines, T-shirts, cosmetics and readymade garments from Bangladesh, aiming to strengthen the friendly relations between the two Muslim countries, reports UNB.

Members of Oman Chambers of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) gave the assurance during a meeting with the visiting 27-member Bangladesh business delegation at the Oman Chamber, said an FBCCI press release here.

OCCI Chairman Khalil Bin Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Khanji led the Oman team while president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mir Nasir Hossain led the Bangladesh side.

The FBCCI delegation is now in Oman on a three-day visit, marking the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Oman and Bangladesh.

During the meeting, the business leaders of Oman said they have faith in Bangladesh, but laid emphasis on export of quality goods that would suit their demands.

Regarding manpower import from Bangladesh, the members of the Oman trade body said they are interested in recruiting physicians, engineers and other workers.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=16859

Bangladesh's PRAN Group Signs US$3.5 MLN In Export Contracts

DHAKA, Nov 12 Asia Pulse - PRAN Sunday signed US$3.5 million contracts with importers of Saudi Arabia and Jordan to export its food products.

Two deals were signed with Saudi importers M/s BR Marzooq Al Habi Al Moulid Trading and M/s Al Qusour Al-Fakhirah Trading and one with M/s Lanka Rose Company of Jordan.

Signing the contracts Hasan Mahbub of PRAN Group informed that their products were gaining markets abroad.

PRAN food products are now exported to 71 countries of Africa, America and Europe.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/071112/3/14wkw.html

great news!! Oman could be the next great importer of deshi products after Kuwait

Knitwear leads export recovery
Exports up 9.77pc in Sept

Exports continued to recover in September from their dramatic slump in July, with double-digit growth in the knitwear sector leading the improvement.

According to figures released yesterday by the Export Promotion Bureau, export earnings in September rose 9.77 per cent in the same period a year earlier to $1.042 billion. However they remained around 5 per cent behind government targets for the month.

In July total exports were down 21.08 per cent, largely due to weakness in the garments sector, blamed on a shortfall in orders caused by the political unrest at the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007. Much of this decline has now been made up, with total exports down just 5.37 per cent in the three months to September 30.

Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said, "We are not worried and we are confident that we will recover from the downward trend by the year-end.”

He said both knitwear and woven exporters have received significant orders recently and therefore the overall exports from the apparel sector will gain momentum by December.

Although the EPB does not provide a monthly breakdown of each export sector results, the figures point to year-on-year growth in the knitwear sector of around 18 percent in September. Woven garment also appeared to have stabilised with export levels in September at around the same level as last year.

However there is still ground to be made up in both sectors after the weak start to the fiscal year. In the three months to September 30 woven exports were down 11.86 per cent to $1.116 billion, with knitwear down 3.61 per cent to $1.204 billion.

September's figures back comments made earlier this week by Fazlul Haque, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), who expressed his optimism that export earnings from the knitwear sector were gaining momentum.

Haque said he was not concerned by the recent decline in exports, pointing to the increase since August in the Utilisation Declaration (UD), made by knitwear producers. The UD tracks the amount of raw materials being used in the sector.

According to the BKMEA, UD rose by 10 percent in August, 40 percent in September and 18 percent in October compared to the corresponding months last year.

"Although the export target for the knitwear sector set for the current fiscal is ambitious, if the growth rate continues we can reach the target," the BKMEA president said.

The export target for the knitwear sector for the current fiscal year is set at $5.5 billion.

Tea, vegetables, agro-processed foods and flowers have all performed well in the first quarter of the fiscal year -- exceeding their targets. Raw jute, footwear, and jute goods also recorded growth, but failed to reach export targets.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=11410

Riding to export success, local bicycle makers go global

M A Halim Khan sits in his office in the Tejgaon factory of Meghna Group, as on the shop floor below him hundreds of shinny bicycles are being assembled by neatly uniformed staff.

It's a busy period; with Christmas coming up European orders need to be shipped in the next few days if they are to reach the shops in Germany, Spain and the UK in time for the festive rush.

In a country like Bangladesh where the garment sector dominates export figures, it is easy to overlook the vibrant light engineering sector that is growing and winning orders in some of the world's most demanding markets.

Trans-world Bicycle Co Ltd and Meghna Bangladesh Ltd, both part of the same group, have been exporting first bicycle parts, then full bicycles, to Europe for more than a decade. The companies' roots lie in the privatisation of the former government owned Bangladesh Cycle Ltd.

Last month it was announced that the companies had won a 13 million-dollar export order at the 'IFMA Cologne Show' in Germany.

“We have had to face many troubles, no one wanted to recognize us as a country capable of manufacturing and exporting quality bikes, " recalls Halim, executive director of Meghna Group.

Chinese and Indian manufactures supply almost one hundred percent of Bangladesh's domestic demand for bicycles, and the Chinese in particular have dominated export markets in the West.

This has meant that Trans-World Bicycle and Meghna Bangladesh Ltd have needed to be extremely competitive. For Halim, it has not just been a question of the cheap availability of labour in Bangladesh, but of the need to ensure a high and consistent quality level. Exports have also been helped by a system of bonded warehouses and by duty free access to the European market.

"We had to struggle really hard to earn the trust of the global importers and consumers. Now that we have already established our position in the global market place, new entrepreneurs will find it easier since they can bank on our reputation as quality suppliers,” he said.

According to Amir Hossain, secretary of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh who attended the German fair as EPB representative, the bicycle business offers many more opportunities.

“Since our economy is largely dependent on export earnings, we must diversify our export basket to achieve sustainable growth and the government will continue its co-operation to help different sectors promote their products in global market," Hossain said.

"The EPB is very positive about extending support to the development of the light engineering sector and we will try not to miss any fair or exhibition abroad that would help promote our products, " he added.

Meghna and Trans-World had to fight hard to establish themselves in new markets, but many young and new entrepreneurs may now find this multi-billion dollar bicycle market worth exploring, according to industry insiders.

As for the government support, the authorities are now considering a friendlier policy for potential manufacturers. “The export promotion bureau is keen to extend its all out co-operation to the new businesses in the sector by providing marketing and other essential supports” said the EPB official.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=11414

High-tech fabric in export basket
Grameen Knitwear to export sports fabric to China

A Bangladeshi company has started exporting a high-tech sports fabric, marking a breakthrough for the country's garment sector that has traditionally focused on low margin cotton products.

Grameen Knitwear Ltd, a local knitwear manufacturer, has won the order to sell 'Coolmax Fresh Fabric' to China, itself the world's leading manufacturer of synthetic cloth.

Coolmax is one of the higher cost fabrics and is used in the manufacture of sports garments. It is designed to move sweat away from the body and enhance fabric drying rates, thus keeping users cool and dry.

In recent years the market for Coolmax and similar fabrics has grown sharply as its use has been extended from high performance sports clothes to everyday apparel.

Md Ashraful Hassan, managing director of Grameen Knitwear Ltd said, "Synthetic fabric holds more than 70 percent of global apparel market. So, why aren't we thinking about this?"

The company has exported $35,000 worth of Coolmax fresh fabric to China and is expecting to export $50,000 worth more of the same fabric within the next few days. In order to meet increased export demand Grameen Knitwear is now planning to establish new factories in the Export Processing Zones.

Hassan said as Coolmax is highly expensive local garment manufacturers have not been interested in working with it. "Here we are taking the risk, and initially we were worried about its marketing," he added.

He said Coolmax fibre is sold at Euro 40 to 45 per kg compared to 4 to 8 kilo for many traditional fabrics.

In order to find a market officials of Grameen Knitwear have visited Vietnam, Korea, Shanghai, and Cambodia.

"We have a lot opportunity to export Coolmax products to these countries that are among the world's dominate apparel players but have yet to develop expertise in such high cost products," Hassan.

Nice

Coolmax is synthetic or treated natural fiber? anybody knows?

Local co to export handicrafts, agro foods to Italy, UAE, USA

Nokon Limited, a leading producer of agro foods and handicrafts, will export products to Italy, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and USA.

The company will sign a sales agreement with the Obaid Al Suwadi Trading in Dubai today(Sunday), said a press release.

Mohammad Shakir, managing director of Nokon Limited, will sign the agreement on behalf of his company. Nokon's export consultant Haroon will accompany him.

Nokon will export 28 agro-food products and 12 items of value added handicrafts worth US$ 32,50,000.00 under the agreement until June 2008.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=21663

Hilsa export resumes after 6 months

Export of delicious Hilsa fish from Bangladesh to India resumed from Wednesday, after expiry of a six-month ban.

Following shipment of 43 tonnes of Hilsa fish by three fish exporting firms of Bangladesh crossed BenapolePetrapole land customs ports of the two countries on Wednesday and Thursday, the fish have already reached local markets there, sources said.

Yusuf Sikder, secretary of Barisal fish exporters association, said a letter on this regard has been reached Benapole land customs port on last December 19, 2007 for taking necessary preparations. The rate of shipment was US dollar 4 per Kg as per the letter of credit opened earlier.

In the market of West Bengal the Hilsa of first shipment was auctioned as Indian Rs.180-200 per Kg. in wholesale market on Wednesday night and sold at the rate of Tk.200-250 per Kg in retail market on Thursday morning, said Yusuf Sikder.

As the exported Bangladeshi Hilsa reached India before the Swaraswati Puja, it is expected to get a good market and retail price may reach up to Rs 300 per kg, sources said.

The amount of Hilsha export from Bangladesh in 2006-07 and 2005-06 fiscal year was 3,414 and 4495 tonnes.

The government took the decision to ban Hilsa export to India for six months to make the item of delicacy affordable for common people after imposition of the ban, the price of Hilsa in local markets reduced by 30%-50%.

Target of Hilsa catching for current fiscal fixed as 3 lakhs tonne against the 2.8 lakhs tonne of last fiscal and so only 5 thousands tonne export to India would not effect Bangladesh market, the exporters association sources claimed.

Nur Muhammad, manager of Barisal BFDC fish loading and unloading centre, said a framework and guidelines about the Hilsa fishing and marketing policy including the quality, quantity and price of exported fish and fulfilling the demands of internal market must be prepared and announced before resuming Hilsa export.

The government would monitor the process of Hilsa fishing including breeding, catching, marketing process, amount of export and check black marketing and smuggling, he said.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=18866

A lot of Bangladeshi stores in New York, London, and other places are selling "deshi" fish imported from Thailand... Koi, Magur, Shing. Why can't we produce/catch/export more?

Bangladesh tea exports leap in 2007

Bangladesh tea exports leapt nearly 121 percent to 10.6 million kg in 2007 on higher yields and improved quality, exporters said on Wednesday.

Lower production in China and higher prices in India also contributed to higher exports from Bangladesh, traders said.

Production in the year was 57.96 million kg, despite repeated floods and a severe cyclone, against 53.41 million kg in the previous year.

Exports fell to 4.8 million kg in 2006 from 9.0 million kg the previous year, when production was 60.14 million kg.

"There is no complacence (about) the export jump last year, because we need to export at least half of our production, as we did in the past," said Mohammad Idris, a senior official of a leading export house in the country.

Domestic buyers are the key players at the country's sole auction centre in Chittagong, where the entire produce is distributed by registered brokers through a weekly sale.

"Bangladesh tea export is falling while domestic demand is increasing," said auctioneer Rafaay Nizam.

Bangladesh exported a record 34.4 million kg in 1982, against an output of 40.9 million kg. But since then, exports have been falling although yields have been rising.

The average price of Bangladesh teas rose 2.44 percent to 101.42 taka ($1.48) per kg on higher demand at the auction on Tuesday, brokers said.

Buyers for Pakistan and Bangladesh participated in the auction, said the National Brokers Ltd, the largest tea broking company in the country.

The country was losing its tea export markets because local producers were not putting enough effort into producing export-quality teas, another exporter said.

"We are (trying) to bring more land for tea cultivation, so that we can get some surplus for export after meeting local demands," a senior official of Bangladesh Tea Board said.

The country now plants tea on some 53,000 hectares (132,500 acres) of land.

Leading importers of Bangladeshi tea are Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

http://in.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idINIndia-31546220080123

Nice

Coolmax is synthetic or treated natural fiber? anybody knows?

Coolmax is a channelized synthetic polyester fiber. Here's an explanation.

http://coolmax.invista.com/why_coolmax.html

In modern polyester plants one can even duplicate cotton fibers using polyester chemicals (one hollow strand with multiple surrounding micro-strands) so you can get the 'cooler' feel. Compared to early 70's polyester -- this is a huge improvement.

Firms get Tk30cr export orders as DITF ends

Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2008 concluded yesterday with the country's manufacturers receiving about Tk 30 crore spot orders for export. The target for such order was Tk 40 crore.

Last year, the local producers received spot orders of about Tk 26 crore, fair officials said.

The government earned revenue of Tk 30 lakh in VAT while 30.40 lakh visitors came to the fair that began on January 1.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the DITF, Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman announced that a permanent fair venue with structures would be built within the next two years.

Either the old airport at Tejgoan or any other suitable place would be selected as the permanent site for the DITF, he said.

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and Commerce Ministry have been arranging the DITF at Agargaon in Dhaka with temporary arrangement for the last 13 years.

The commerce adviser said an agreement had been signed with China, which would provide 210 million RMB (Chinese currency) to build the permanent venue for the international trade fair.

He advised the DITF organisers to arrange the fair with multidimensional target to attract both local and foreign buyers.

He also advised them to take steps so that the manufacturers from all over the country could showcase their products to attract the foreign and local buyers.

The government-appointed FBCCI Administrator Syed Manzur Elahi urged the government to involve the private sector, particularly different trade bodies, in arranging the trade fair.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=22500

Bangladesh exports to US up in 2007

Bangladesh's exports to the US have shown some increase in 2007 .

A data released by US Department of Commerce on Friday showed that exports to USA was US$ 3,271.4 million during 2006 whereas in 2007 that figure went up to US$ 3,433.2 million.

An increase of US$ 161.8 million from 2006 to 2007 could be considered a notable boost in the face of the recent natural and political upheavals in Bangladesh during the period as well as US recession beginning from the middle of 2007.

The US Department of Commerce ranked Bangladesh at 32 in terms of its volume of trade deficit this year that translates to a three-digit upward change from Bangladesh's 2006 rank of 35.

The US Bureau of Economic Analysis showed that US exports to Bangladesh also increased between 2006 and 2007 and thereby establishing a positive correlation between the two economies.

This means that more Bangladesh exports to US may spur more imports from USA and thereby establishing a two-way linkage between the sectors of the economy of the two countries.

Market analysts believe Bangladesh could expect further increase in its market penetration to the US if the ongoing policy and institutional reforms could be strengthened along with reforms in the workplace environment of exporting sectors.

Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, DC is engaged in further promoting greater economic relationship between the two countries including expanded trade opportunities, said a Bangladesh embassy press release.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=23755

Ship building to fetch huge export earnings

Bangladesh is now a serious player in international ship building industry and it has the potentials to fetch substantial export earnings through this kind of export diversification, foreign ship buyers and other speakers said Monday at a keel laying ceremony in Chittagong.

Western Marine Shipyard organised the keel laying ceremony of two of five ice-class ocean going vessels at Patiya in Chittagong. Stella Shipping of Denmark has placed order for the vessels to Western Marine.

Foreign buyers also said many internationally reputed shipping companies are now watching Bangladesh's development in this sector and they might place orders for building ships worth millions of dollars.

Addressing as special guest at the programme, Jan Fabricious, Chairman of Stella Shipping said Bangladesh's two leading ship builders Western Marine and Ananda have become serious players in the international shipbuilding market after getting orders over $ 250 million last year.

"I have no doubt in my mind that this shipyard will continue its drive for delivering quality ships in the years to come", he added.

Administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Syed Manzur Elahi joined the programme as chief guest while Ambassador of Denmark Einar H Jensen and Chairman of Stella Shipping Jan Fabricious joined the programme as special guests.

Ambassador of Denmark Einar H Jensen said "It has similarity with the country's apparel sector. And the government of Bangladesh should allow import of different ship building raw materials through the green channel".

He also said that Bangladesh has now joined the international ship building nations and it has emerged as a serious player like Vietnam and China.

Denmark Ambassador also said shipbuilding has been the key heavy industry to jump-start the journey from poverty to prosperity like the countries of Vietnam, Korea, Singapore and China.

Addressing as chief guest, FBCCI Administrator Syed Manzur Elahi said this entails not just the ability to bridge small worlds but also the ability to build new worlds across the seven seas.

He also said this keel laying ceremony is proof that the Western Marine has successfully marshaled all it takes to overcome the many obstacles and arrive at this great moment.

Chairman of Western Marine Md Saiful Islam, Managing Director of Western marine Sakhawat Hossain and others spoke at the programme.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=26432

Tea exports increase over three times until Jan this season

Country's tea exports grew by more than three times until January this season, thanks to mainly a favourable weather condition leading to higher production, planters said.

The planters have exported more than 9.0 million kilogrammes (kg) of tea up to January this season against nearly 3.0 million kgs of the previous season.

"We are expecting to export more than 10 million kg tea as we have still one month left this season," said one senior official with the Tea Traders Association of Bangladesh.

Tea plucking starts at the 163 gardens in the country in March and ends in mid-January.

Planters said they are expecting nearly 58 million kg tea this season.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladesh exported tea worth US$ 8.92 million (89.2 lakh), 128.13 per cent higher than the target, during the first half of the current fiscal. The figure was up by 3007.31 per cent compared to that of the July-December period of the previous fiscal year.

"The exports rose mainly due to good yields and a Kenyan crisis. The crisis forced many buyers to come to Bangladesh," Safwan Chowdhury, chief executive officer of M Ahmed Group, said.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=26609

Local hometex brand set to go global

http://www.thedailystar.net/photos/2008-03-02__bus06.jpg
A bed sheet designed and produced by Classical Home Textiles, which is to start export to Ukraine and Italy next month.

A local home textile company is to start exporting locally designed and produced bed sheets to Ukraine and Italy next month.

"We will be the first company in the country to export bed sheets under its own brand, " Shameem Hossain, managing director of Classical Home Textiles, said yesterday.

Shameem said his company purchases grey fabrics from local textile factories and get those printed in his factory under the brand of Classical Home Textiles to sell in the local market.

"Since I have very strong position in the local bed sheet market I now focus on foreign markets," he said.

Shameem said his company has a 40 percent share in the Tk 100 crore local bed sheet market, which is growing 20 percent a year.

The Classical Home Textiles Ltd has always been giving importance to developing its own brand as branding helps grab marker share, said Shameem, adding that the company doest not own any textile plants.

"Classical Home Textile, which also supplies pillow cover, side pillow and comforters to the local market, has developed its own designs and printing," Shameem said. The export-oriented factories make bed sheets in line with the designs supplied by foreign buyers, he added.

The country's annual demand for bed sheet is 1.44 crore metres and more than 90 percent of demand is met by local factories, he said.

Classical Home Textiles was established in 1989 with only six employees and now it has 122 employees.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=25726

Exporters explore 21 new markets

Bangladeshi entrepreneurs have been exploring new export markets and they have exported $6.2 million worth goods in 21 new countries in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

According to Export Promotion Bureau, exports in these 21 countries were 'zero' in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

Of these countries, 13 are African, four former Russian Federation, two Asians, one European and one South American, EPB's latest country-wise statistics revealed.

Goods, which were exported, are frozen food, woven, knitwear, leather, raw jute, jute goods and chemical products were exported in these countries during July-September of fiscal 2007-08.

The countries are: Angola, Belize, Benin, Cambodia, Cote D Ivory, Gambia, Iceland, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lithonia, Macao, Namibia, Niger, Reunion, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tokelau Islands, Tunisia and Uzbekistan.

A leading woven exporter identified two major reasons entrepreneurs' efforts to look for new destinations and location of stores of big chain shops in different countries for the diversified markets.

“We're looking for new export markets and everyday we're getting responses from different countries around the world,” Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association told The Daily Star yesterday.

Chowdhury said: “We're getting more and more orders from African and former Soviet Union countries”.

Government data shows Bangladesh's total exports were $12.1 billion in the last fiscal year ended on June 30 2007. Of which, about 76 percent was earned by apparel items.

Of these exports, majority goes to some specific countries that include the US and the European countries.

Analysts often said Bangladesh is in a vulnerable position as its export markets are very limited, but entrepreneurs have proved their potentials that they were able to tap new export markets.

“Bangladesh's export to other countries will increase day by day as the sourcing countries for RMG are getting shrunk,” the BGMEA president said.

He said the sourcing countries for apparel products have already come down to 36 countries from 56 five years ago.

“It is a good sign that Bangladesh's export markets and products are being diversified,” Prof Mustafizur Rahman, executive director of Centre for Policy Dialogue, told The Daily Star.

Rahman said some big local exporters have been exploring new export destinations after withdrawal of the quota system.

“Still many markets, including South American countries, are unexplored,” he said, “An improved design and fashion can help Bangladeshi exporters to penetrate into the $12 billion worth market in Japan”.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=26506

South American countries, are unexplored

I'd hedge my bets on South American markets, and not the Japanese one.

You may ask why -- and I have one word. Personal experience.

Japanese buyers in their over-saturated market are way too finicky on quality for the price they pay and Japanese wholesalers are finicky for another reason -- environmental standards etc. That's been my experience for RMG at least. Plus there's China right next door to compete with. I don't think so.

The only guys that did well in Japan are leather shoe mfrs. from Bangladesh.

But South America is a big market -- which most Bangladeshi exporters know very little about. They need to go to those markets and explore them (especially the largest market -- Brasil). All classes of consumers buying all sorts of things in that diverse country. Price-competitive products will do well. Especially pharmaceuticals.

Strong knitwear exports to exceed govt targets

Knitwear exports in the 2007-08 fiscal year are likely to exceed the government's target due to a strong performance in the US market and the increasing flexibility given by the use of local yarn.

In the six months to the end of December 2007, local knit manufacturers exported $2.550 billion according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), just short of the government's target.

However industry sources said strong order intake mean the annual target of US$5.465 billion should be reached.

President of BKMEA (Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association) Fazlul Hoque said if the current rate of knit export continues the target will be exceeded this year.

“On an average at present 15 new knit factories are coming into operation every month in Bangladesh which shows that the sector is growing,” he said.

Behind the success has been the increased backward integration of the industry, with local yarn now accounting for around 90 per cent of the yarn used in Bangladeshi knitwear production. This allows local knit exporters to reduce lead-time significantly, exporters said.

Late last year knitwear exports for the first time overtook woven items as the country's single largest export item and it seems this trend is set to continue.

In 2006-07 Bangladesh exported knit items worth $4.55 billion against its target of $4.88 billion, with the industry hit by continuous labour and political unrest, and bad weather conditions in the EU.

Previously, in 2005-06 and 2004-05 fiscals the knit export exceeded the target.

BKMEA officials said although the government increased the export target at by 20 percent for the knit sector in 2007-08 the exporters are confident of hitting the target.

Another plus for the knitwear sector has been the expansion of sales to the US. This has come despite economic weakness in the sector's second largest market after the EU.

Import data from the United States International Trade and Commerce (USITC) showed that in 2007 calendar year Bangladesh exported knit items worth $815 million, up 11.2 percent on the $733 million in 2006 calendar.

Bangladesh was positioned at 14th in knit export to the US in 2007.

President of BKMEA (Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association) Fazlul Hoque said if the current rate of knit export continues the target will be exceeded this year.

“On an average at present 15 new knit factories are coming into operation every month in Bangladesh which shows that the sector is growing up to hold the world export market,” he said.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=26860

One knitwear factory opening every 2 days?Now thats the way to go.People who think Bangladesh invests only in Glass towers and malls should read this!:cheers:

“On an average at present 15 new knit factories are coming into operation every month in Bangladesh which shows that the sector is growing,”

Few weeks back when I gave the stat that in 2005-2006 one new knitware factory gone into production in every 2 weeks. Some people in this forum argued I was making up stories. Now this new and even better figure should be a lesson (without being harsh to their ignorance) for them.

Contrary to some ignorant comments propagated earlier this trend of investment should show that domestic investors do invest back in the country and remains core investment engine.

Not to take away from this upbeat news but most new knit investments are of the under-five machine variety which are in somebody's garage space. Nothing wrong with that though. Taiwanese/Korean style industrialization is fine with me.

The days of massive 1000 machine Adamjee style setup is now passe.

Knit has to come up -- because people all over are switching to more casual apparel anyway (POLO shirts and T-shirts are all made in a knit factory).

Few weeks back when I gave the stat that in 2005-2006 one new knitware factory gone into production in every 2 weeks. Some people in this forum argued I was making up stories. Now this new and even better figure should be a lesson (without being harsh to their ignorance) for them.

Contrary to some ignorant comments propagated earlier this trend of investment should show that domestic investors do invest back in the country and remains core investment engine.

In case you are unaware, a forum is a place to expound ideas, thoughts, exchange of information, and debates. Therefore the question of who is right or who is wrong does not apply and no bones should be made about it. If one is proven to be correct or incorrect through corroboration, so much the better, and people stand corrected.

I am sure nobdoy intentionally wishes to hurt anybody's feelings.

:cheers:

Garments eye $18b export by 2010 as China struggles with strong Yuan

Manufacturers eye an 18 billion dollars of garment exports in 2010, as strong Chinese and Indian currencies have hit their exports hard, while a weak Taka make Bangladeshi items the cheapest in the world, officials said.

Their comments came as the Export Promotion Bureau said Saturday the country's exports grew 51 per cent in January year-on-year, on the back of 'stunning' performance by readymade garments.

The country exported goods over 1.23 billion dollars, which is at least 51 per cent more than figure of last January, with garments accounting for over three-fourths of the tally.

The performance pushed the seven months export growth to 9.78 per cent to a total 7.73 billion dollars.

"It's a very good come-back for our garments industry. And trends of February and March show that the growth would remain robust this year," head of government's export promotion bureau Shahab Ullah said.

Knitted items such as T-shirts, pullover led the growth with 69 per cent increase and and the woven garment items such as trousers soared by 49 per cent.

"We had some bad time in July-September. But we gradually picked up steam since then," the EPB chief said.

The country's export was in the negative territory in the first five months of the fiscal year beginning from July due to the continued fallout of labour unrest and political turmoil since late 2006.

In December garments showed first signs of major recovery, pushing the six months growth to positive territory of three per cent to 4.9 billion dollars.

Exporters said the January growth showed the impact of the 2006-7 turmoil is over and Bangladesh making rapid strides to emerge as the most serious challenger to China.

"We have proved what we are capable of. We beat China both in prices and quality in some categories," Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) chief Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez said.

He said garment exports would fetch at least 11 billion dollars this year, as most of the factories have been swamped with orders.

Statistics released by the US commerce department shows that Bangladeshi made knitted cotton trouser, a major export item, beat China in volumes for the first time in history.

"If the political stability remains and there is no fresh major labour troubles, we will export 14 billion dollars next year and over 18 billion by 2010," he added.

The country's exporters have already expanded their facilities to cope with orders over 15 billion dollars, but could not utilise the capacity last year because of the political and labour troubles.

According to the BGMEA, despite the turmoil, the country imported 104,000 units textile and garments machinery last year, which is three times the figure of 2003.

Fazlul Haq, the leader of knitwear manufacturers association, said the appreciation of Chinese Yuan and Indian Rupee has played a key role in making Bangladeshi-made garments the darling to international buyers.

"There is hardly anyone who can compete us in price. Factories in China and India have become sick because of their appreciating currencies. They can no longer compete with us," he said.

Chinese Yuan appreciated seven per cent against US dollar last year and three per cent in the first two months this year. Indian Rupees have gained over 11 per cent against dollar in 2007.

In contrast, Taka has appreciated less than one per cent against the ailing US dollar since July last year.

The Wall Street Journal in a recent report said thousands of garment factories in China's coastal belt have closed their shutters due to the appreciating Yuan and wage pressure.

"The buyers now see Bangladesh the best destination to do shopping as the hangover of last year's turmoil is over.

"Price aside, our products have become superior in quality and Chittagong Port the most efficient in its history," he said.

"In addition, industrial expansion is going on unabated, with one factory being set up in every two days," Haq said.

Garments export sales fetched 9.3 billion dollars out of a total 12.18 billion dollars in export earnings in the last financial year to June 2007.

The factories employ around 40 percent of the country's total industrial workforce, according to the World Bank.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=28193

18 billion Sounds terrific!

The factories employ around 40 percent of the country's total industrial workforce, according to the World Bank.

This is not a desirable ratio -- to put all one's eggs in the garments basket.

Porters economic theory says one of the biggest threats to economic survival is substitution. All that is needed is a low-cost competitor. Then we will have unemployed people on a scale never seen before and the disruption and suffering that goes with it.

The Govt. should provide incentives and reduce duties on machineries for certain other types of labour intensive industries so the diversification continues.

After garments and shoes the typical next tier labor intensive industry is low cost small appliances manufacture -- i.e. iron, electric fan, kitchen electrics etc. (stuff that is probably just becoming too expensive to make in China now). Our labor rates is probably less than even India's so that could be a big market right next door.

In case you are unaware, a forum is a place to expound ideas, thoughts, exchange of information, and debates. Therefore the question of who is right or who is wrong does not apply and no bones should be made about it. If one is proven to be correct or incorrect through corroboration, so much the better, and people stand corrected.

I am sure nobdoy intentionally wishes to hurt anybody's feelings.

:cheers:

Do you even know what context discussion was taken place??? If not then you are wasting my time.

@snoq -- the context doesn't matter, we are all in here voluntarily to exchange ideas.

So the point is, we should all be civil and try to respect each other's opinions and intellect -- however right we feel our own opinion is. You'll see there are plenty of admirers of your contribution too -- like there are for all of us.

If you feel the context wasn't clear -- maybe you could repost it.

I have a rule. These days -- if I feel the urge to not say something nice -- I usually resist saying anything.

Potato export from Rangpur begins

Limited export of potato to two Southeast Asian countries - Singapore and Malaysia began from Rangpur recently, sources said.

However, only Granula type of potato is being exported for the first time in a limited scale.

Sources further said there has been a bumper production of potato in greater Rangpur this year.

It may be mentioned that over 53,000 hectares of land were brought under potato cultivation this year. The potato production is expected to exceed 1.1 million tonnes this year, sources added.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=29387

Exporters earn $1.2 billion in February

The country’s exporters in February earned $1.2 billion, which is 22 per cent higher than the export earning in the corresponding month of the previous year.

Growth, in terms of value, for July-February period of the current fiscal stood at 11.26 per cent on the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.

The commerce ministry officials said rough summing up on statistics by the Export Promotion Bureau found February’s export earnings at $1,193 million against 1,083 million in February 2007.

Earnings for July-February period stood at $8,927 million slightly missing the target, set for the period, at 9,325 million.

The primary reports on export, however, did not include value of earnings by the garment exporters who share more than three forth of the country’s export earning.

‘We are apprised by the EPB officials that they sensed RMG export earnings in February to be more than 26 per cent on February 2007,’ one commerce ministry official told New Age.

February’s export earnings’ growth however much below than that in January, which the commerce ministry officials termed as seasonal factor.

In January, apparel exporters earned 59 per cent more on that of January of the previous year on the back of a huge growth in orders from European countries while demands from USA remained almost static.
Earnings from woven garments stood at $492 million, while knitwear fetched $464 million, posting 49 and 69 per cent growth over the January 2007 figures.

Total export earning stood 10 per cent higher at $7,727 million in the July-January period with garments accounting for 82.5 per cent.

The robust growth in January enlivened the garment manufacturers who experienced drastic falls especially in July-September period that was analysed as the prolonged effect of violent labour and political unrest.

Global buyers’ reliance on Bangladeshi suppliers looked shaky in the backdrop of workers’ agitation against low wages in mid-2006, coupled with political unrests towards the end of 2007.

Anxiety of buyers was mirrored in 24 per cent decline in dress export earnings in July 2007 before some improvements were seen from the following month but robust growth in January pushed up the overall export earning growth to double digits again.

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html

Exporters earn $1.2 billion in February=

While there are big concerns (or already there is one) about global recession, Our economy seems to be resilient. :)

Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW


Exports mark 22pc growth in Feb

Star Business Report


The continued strong growth in demand for Bangladeshi garments helped boost the country's exports in February to US$1.199 billion, up 22 percent on the same month a year earlier.

However despite February's export boom, the country missed the overall export target of July-February period by 4.21 percent, earning $8.02 billion during these first eight months of FY 2007-08.

Knitwear, the largest export earner followed by woven garments, earned $3.47 billion during the time, marking a 16.43 percent growth over the same period of previous fiscal.

It, however, missed the target of $ 3.51 billion for the period.

Woven garments earned $3.29 billion, a 5.63 percent growth over the same period of the previous fiscal, but 5.28 per cent below the export target.

Frozen food, the country's second largest export earner, showed 5.73 percent growth over the same period of previous fiscal. During the period the sector earned $ 371.93 million.

Agricultural products, vegetables, tobacco, ceramic products and footwear also marked considerable growth.

On the other hand, handicrafts, computer services and engineering products such as bicycle and iron chain missed the export target.

Despite positive growth during the last three months since December 2007, export is still bearing the burnt of the negative growth in the fiscal year's first five months.

The government has set the export target for FY 2007-08 at $14.5 billion against the backdrop of over $ 12 billion earning in previous fiscal.

“If the garment sector fails to show high growth, it will be hard to meet the target,” said Fazlul Haque, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association.


http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=32314

If you compare this news to the previous article, you will see that our exports stood at 2 billion US dollars in March alone after 8 billion in previous eight months.If this continues,Bangladeshi exports may touch 16 billion USD this fiscal


Country’s export earning crosses
$10b in 9 months
Kazi Azizul Islam

The country’s export earnings crossed $10 billion in nine-month of the current fiscal to March, growing 12 per cent over its figure in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the Export Promotion Bureau monthly report. The readymade garment export proceeds that constituted 77 per cent of the country’s total export earnings remained at satisfactory level, making further recoveries from the declined business of the sector during first quarter of the fiscal.
The EPB’s monthly report released on Monday showed that during the July-March period, Bangladeshi exporters shipped manufactured products and commodities worth $10,160 million, up from $9,036 million of the same period in the previous fiscal.
Knitwear, woven garment, home textile, frozen foods, finished leather, and footwear, and raw-jute were among the major items those achieved satisfactory growth although most of the exporting items missed their targets set for the period by small margins.
Knitwear’s earning continued to rise as its earning during the July-March period grew by more than 17 per cent to $3,914 million.
The report showed that earning from the woven garment exports grew by nearly 8 per cent to $3,770 million during the period.
The earnings from the frozen foods grew by over 7 per cent to $409 million in the period over the same time in last year.
Exports of home textile increased by about 10 per cent to $211 million, footwear 21 per cent to $120 million, finished leather 7 per cent to $ 213 million and raw jute by 14 per cent to $128 million in the period.
Earning from jute goods was declined by 1.4 per cent to $243 million during the period this year over the nine-month figure in the last year.
The EPB report showed that the overall export in March grew by 21.25 per cent from the March 2007 figure of $1,215 million. The export figure crossed the target set for the period by nearly 3 per cent.
Average export volumes of both primary and manufacturing products increased by 14 per cent during the period, comparing with the same period in previous fiscal. Price index of the manufactured products declined by 2.32 per cent while that of the primary products increased by 9.26 per cent.

Source:http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html#3

Very good news mirza....

same news here from another source--

Export outpaces expectation amid massive shipments of RMG





Naim-Ul-Karim

The country's export grew an impressive 21.25 per cent in March to power the first nine months exports past US$ 10 billion amid soaring shipments of key garment items, officials said Monday.

Export in March clocked $1.224 billion, the third consecutive month it posted over 20 per cent growth, pushing the first nine months' shipments to $10.16 billion, or up 12.43 per cent over the same time last year, the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) said.

Exports growth till February was only 11.33 per cent.

"Our exports continued to maintain double digit growth owing mostly to huge shipments of garment items. Both knitwear and woven items have done exceedingly well," Khalilur Rahman, director general of EPB, said.

"If growth maintains this pace, we hope exports would exceed or match the target this year," he said, referring to the $14.50 billion export target the government fixed for the current fiscal year.

Knitwear items such as T-shirts, pullovers, sweaters have grown by 17.34 per cent to $3.91 billion while woven items such as denim and shirts grew 7.54 per cent to $3.77 billion amid a massive surge in export orders.

Overall garment items grew over 12 per cent to $7.68 billion in the nine-months to March, which is over 76 per cent of the country's total exports. Garments occupied three-fourths of total exports last year.

Manufacturers and analysts attributed the 'impressive growth' in March to weak Taka, which made Bangladeshi products cheapest in the world and a draining of competitiveness in key competitor China.

"External factors are primarily responsible for the impressive growth in the last three months," said an EPB senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"China, which was even months back our main competitor can no longer compete us in low-priced items. Their currency have appreciated substantially and their wages have increased, making garment manufacturing costlier than ever," he said.

Chinese Yuan has appreciated six per cent against the American dollar last year and four per cent this year, while a surging inflation has pushed wage growth to over 20-40 per cent in its key manufacturing hubs, according to Chinese trade groups.

Fazlul Hoque, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), however, gave parts of the credit to the country's continued productivity and competitiveness.

"Yes, appreciation of Chinese currency has made its products costlier. China has also withdrawn export subsidies from some garment items. And both these factors have worked in favour of us," Hoque said.

"But we have also beaten them in quality. Our manufacturers have diversified their products. As a result, buyers have rushed to Bangladesh, not elsewhere in south-east Asia," he said.

According to the EPB, garments aside, most of the major export items have fared well despite slowdown of economies in the European Union and the United States, two of the Bangladesh's main export destination.

Frozen food, the second largest export item, grew 7.31 per cent to $408 millions, despite its growth was in the negative territory in the first six months of the fiscal.

Pharmaceuticals posted its biggest export in history, after it grew 60 per cent to $32 millions due to global marketing forays by the local drug companies.

Footwear has continued to maintain its hefty pace, recording a 21.32 per cent growth to $120 millions in the first nine months.

Most of the agricultural items such as raw jute, vegetables, tobacco, agro-processed food and tea grew between 20 and 215 per cent, amid a massive demand for the Bangladeshi goods among the expatriate communities in the US, Britain and the Gulf countries.

http://thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=32717

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s195/tareq79/2008_05_06_21_10_b.jpg

Bangladesh trade show in Canada sparks hope





FE Report

A three day Bangladesh Single Country Trade Show-2008 was inaugurated in Toronto, Canada recently. The show was organised by Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh in cooperation with Bangladesh High Commission in Ottawa, Trade Facilitation Office Canada (TFOC) and Canada-Bangladesh Business Council.

The show was inaugurated by Senator Mac Harb as the chief guest. Former CIDA minister Maria Minna and Deputy Premier of Ontario George Smitherman attended the inaugural ceremony as the special guests. Bangladesh High Commissioner in Canada AM Yakub Ali, Vice-Chairman of Export Promotion Bureau Bangladesh Md Shahab Ullah were also present on the occasion.

Fifty three Bangladeshi manufacturing-exporting companies participated in the show. They displayed readymade garments, knitwear, handicrafts, value added jute products, leather products, leather footwear, ceramic tableware, tiles, food items, home textile, terry towel, boutique items, ladies' dress, sarees etc. The show attracted hundreds of visitors, buyers, businessmen and representatives of many well known business companies. Officials of famous chain stores like Wal-Mart, Bay, Sears and Zellers visited the show and established direct contacts with the exhibiting companies from Bangladesh.

Mac Harb was excited seeing the potentials of Bangladeshi products and said that Bangladesh could easily export its diverse products to the Canadian market.

Speakers in the inaugural ceremony spoke highly of Bangladesh's efforts and success in trade increase and expressed the hope that the show would have a positive contribution to furthering Bangladesh-Canada trade relations. Maria Minna who is presently chairing Canada-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group expressed her outmost satisfaction over the recent rise in Bangladesh's export to Canada.

The deputy premier of Ontario in his speech stressed the importance of holding such shows and stated that the show would definitely project a very good and impressive image of Bangladesh abroad.

He, on behalf of Ontario Government of Canada, presented plaques of appreciation to the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada and to the vice chairman of EPB during the ceremony.

http://thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=32758

Local company signs deal to export halal meat to Malaysia
Industry people seek more govt support to tap global market

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2008/05/11/2008-05-11__b03.jpg

Premium Halal Abattoir, a local company, has signed a deal to export halal meat to Malaysia as local processors are eying to grab a portion of US$ 50 billion global halal meat market.

Premium Halal Abattoir, under a memorandum of understanding with Barakah Import of Malaysia, will export 50 tonnes of meat a year, with industry people demanding more government supports to explore potential market.

The government meanwhile is likely to get clearance soon from the Department of Veterinary Services of Malaysia. The certification will enable Bangladeshi companies to export processed halal meat to Malaysia.

Another meat processing company, Peninsula Abattoir, is in talks with buyers to export processed meat to Europen countries.

The pioneer in halal meat processing industry in the country, Bengal Meat Processing Industries Limited, is exporting to the UAE and Kuwait. Bengal Meat has almost trebled its export growth in a span of nine months.

The company started exporting about 3 tonnes of processed halal mutton a week to Dubai in May 2007, but now it exports 9 tonnes of mutton a week. , In September 2007, Bengal exported 12.5 tonnes of beef to Kuwait per week, but now its weekly beef export to the country has reached 25 tonnes, according to the company officials.

Dwelling on the barriers they are facing, the industry people said being an exporting country Bangladesh has no certification from any importing countries other than Kuwait and UAE. Such certification from any importing country is mandatory for an exporting country, as the country concerned is to satisfy the importer that the product exported does not contain any hazardous elements and germs.

Bangladesh government meanwhile paid fees to Office of the International Epizooties (OIE) for membership of the agency and to get certificate as well.

If Bangladesh gets certification from OIE, the country will be treated as a mad cow diseases-free country, creating opportunities for local companies to export to European countries.

The government also collected information on sanitary and phyto sanitary requirements of many countries to meet the export requirement.

“The government is trying to support businesspeople as the processed meat has export potential since Bangladesh is free from mad cow disease,” said Nil Ratan Sarkar, an official of commerce ministry.

Local businesspeople said the government should establish a modern lab for testing exportable meat.

“Since establishing a lab is very costly the government should help entrepreneurs,” said Sahedul Islam Sadi, proprietor of Peninsula Abattoir.

“We have a huge market for processed halal meat in East Asian and Middle Eastern countries. But we are failing to tap the potential as we cannot penetrate into their markets due to some legal barriers,” said Mostafizur Rahman, chief executive officer of Bengal Meat.

“If Bangladesh can have a small portion of the market it could be a very potential sector,” Rahman added.

Currently, Brazil, China, India and Australia are the main suppliers of processed meat to the global market.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=35958

KSA to recruit 0.4m construction workers by 2010







Naim-Ul-Karim

The country's manpower export to Saudi Arabia is set to be on course again as the Muslim kingdom intends to recruit over 0.4 million skilled construction workers by 2010, officials said Tuesday.

But sector insiders said Bangladesh might find it difficult to fully exploit the opportunity because of the shortage of skilled and semi-skilled manpower having experience in modern construction.

Abdul Matin Chowdhury, Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment (MEWOE), said: "We have already launched job-oriented training programme to produce skilled workers in rod binding, shuttering, house-building, pipe fitting, electric work for the Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia".

Officials said Saudi Arabia, the single largest destination of the Bangladesh's overseas job seekers, will require around a million workforce specially to support its booming infrastructure development.

They said giant developers in Riyadh has chalked out huge infrastructure development work recently with the Kingdom reaping additional income from unabated hike in oil prices.

The oil prices hit a fresh high above $122 a barrel last week in global market, boosted by supply disruption in Nigeria, lower output in Russia and continued robust demand in China ahead of the Olympics.

Md Abdul Malek, director general of Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), said already manpower export to Saudi Arabia has started picking up after a marginal decline in last March.

Only 981 Bangladeshis found jobs Saudi Arabia in March, the lowest in more than two decades, officials said, as the oil rich Gulf country hardly cleared any visas for the job seekers due to technical glitches in its server in Dhaka.

Saudi Arabia issued 16,725 visas to the Bangladeshis in April helping a healthy 53.15 per cent growth in overseas employment in the first four months of 2008.


http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=33549

KSA to recruit 0.4m construction workers by 2010







Naim-Ul-Karim

The country's manpower export to Saudi Arabia is set to be on course again as the Muslim kingdom intends to recruit over 0.4 million skilled construction workers by 2010, officials said Tuesday.

But sector insiders said Bangladesh might find it difficult to fully exploit the opportunity because of the shortage of skilled and semi-skilled manpower having experience in modern construction.

Abdul Matin Chowdhury, Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment (MEWOE), said: "We have already launched job-oriented training programme to produce skilled workers in rod binding, shuttering, house-building, pipe fitting, electric work for the Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia".

Officials said Saudi Arabia, the single largest destination of the Bangladesh's overseas job seekers, will require around a million workforce specially to support its booming infrastructure development.

They said giant developers in Riyadh has chalked out huge infrastructure development work recently with the Kingdom reaping additional income from unabated hike in oil prices.

The oil prices hit a fresh high above $122 a barrel last week in global market, boosted by supply disruption in Nigeria, lower output in Russia and continued robust demand in China ahead of the Olympics.

Md Abdul Malek, director general of Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), said already manpower export to Saudi Arabia has started picking up after a marginal decline in last March.

Only 981 Bangladeshis found jobs Saudi Arabia in March, the lowest in more than two decades, officials said, as the oil rich Gulf country hardly cleared any visas for the job seekers due to technical glitches in its server in Dhaka.

Saudi Arabia issued 16,725 visas to the Bangladeshis in April helping a healthy 53.15 per cent growth in overseas employment in the first four months of 2008.


http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=33549
thats very good news

KSA to recruit 0.4m construction workers by 2010


Should have made it clear if KSA wishes to recruit all 0.4m construction workers from BD no not.

Foreign airlines boost fresh vegetables export
Sohel Parvez

http://thedailystar.net/photo/2008/05/21/2008-05-21__b01.jpg

Exports of fruit and vegetables jumped almost 40 percent in the first nine months of fiscal year 2007-08, spurred by the increased willingness of foreign airlines to carry fresh produce from Bangladesh.

In the nine months to March 31, exports of perishable agricultural produce rose to $90.38 million, up 38 percent on the same period a year earlier. The increase marks a sharp rebound from the performance in 2006-07 when exports fell.

"It's good that foreign airlines are now willing to carry more, and we will be able to increase exports even further if we get more air cargo space,” said SM Jahangir Hossain, president of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables & Allied Products Exporters' Association (BFVAPEA).

Exporters said foreign airlines such as Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways and Emirates, previously reluctant to carry perishable products such as vegetables, have been carrying more and helping them accelerate exports.

Increased carrying of perishable products by foreign carriers has also helped to reduce the pressure on Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Biman now carries about 60 percent of total agri-products, down from 80 percent, a Biman official said.

SM Masum, reservation executive of Qatar Airways in Dhaka, said the airline started carrying more perishable items from the middle of last year.

“We are carrying about 6 tonnes of perishable products every day. Previously, we carried about 3 tonnes,” he said, adding that the airline carries these products to London, Qatar, Rome, Frankfurt and Milan.

Some experts said foreign airlines are carrying more perishable products to make up for a reduction in other business, with garment exporters now happy to send goods through a more efficient Chittagong port.

According to exporters, about 40 categories of products are exported through air routes with bitter gourd, bean, green chilli, potato, papaya, jackfruit and mango dominating the overall basket.

Non-resident Bangladeshis as well as expatriate workers, living in high numbers in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom, are the main consumers of local agri-products. Bangladesh's products are also being exported to Italy, Germany, France, Kuwait and Qatar.

“India is our main competitor. If we are to compete with Indian products, the government should provide subsidy in freight charges to boost exports,” said Mohammed Monsur, owner of one of the biggest exporters, Monsur General Trading Company.

Monsur also said a central warehouse for agricultural products having facilities such as pre-cooling, packaging system.

At present, the exporters get 20 percent cash incentive based on free on board value. But exporters said it is insignificant, as they have to pay 75 percent of their earnings as freight charges.

Economists attributed the growth as a positive sign but said the benefit of export earnings should go to farmers and not to the middlemen.

“It should bring positive results. But we need to examine how much of benefit our farmers are getting from the growth," said M Asaduzzaman, research director of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies.

Govt allows soybean oil export from EPZs

FE Report

The government has allowed export of soybean oil and palm oil only by the industries located in export processing zones (EPZs) of the country, officials said.

The central bank has already issued a circular in this connection asking the commercial banks to follow the instruction on export of the essential items.

"We have issued the circular in line with the commerce ministry's advice," a senior official of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) told the FE Tuesday, adding that the industries at EPZs have to be allowed to export their products on the basis of the existing rules.

There is only one edible oil refinery in Mongla EPZ, an official of the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) confirmed.

Earlier, the government banned the export of edible oil for six months with effect from February 28, 2008 to ensure adequate supply of the essential in the domestic market, they added.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.info/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=34218

SinoBangla to export new item

FE Report

SinoBangla Industries Ltd (SBIL) is going to introduce a new export item -- value added Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container (FIBC).

SBIL will produce FIBC through Dutch-Bangla Pack Limited (DBPL), the joint venture project of SBIL and Lammers and Van Cleef (LVC), Holland.

DBPL will export its full production to Australia, Brazil and other European countries.

As value added FIBC requires new technology not available in Bangladesh, the Local Enterprise Investment Centre (LEIC) will assist to conduct an extensive training programme for six months for 860 workers to manufacture the item up to the international quality.

The training programme will help Bangladeshi workers to adapt the new technology and produce export quality food grade FIBC first time in the country.

LEIC signed a contribution agreement in this connection with SBIL recently.

IDLC Finance Limited CEO and Managing Director Anis A Khan and Sinobangla Industries Limited Managing Director Abdur Rashid signed the agreement in the city recently.

LEIC, a private sector development project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and managed by IDLC Finance Limited, is working with a special focus to facilitate inter-company long-term alliances.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.info/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=34246

value added FIBC requires new technology not available in Bangladesh

This is interesting -- last time I looked -- this was nothing but a one ton bag with woven high-grade polypropylene material. This is pretty much available everywhere. For food you just add a PE liner. There's no rocket-science here.

The fact is you have to use forklifts to lift the woven handles on these one or two ton bags -- otherwise this is pretty similar to a woven PP sack handled by humans.

Compare the time needed to load a truck with these bags vis-a-vis the ordinary way -- i.e. with sacks on people's heads. How about five minutes compared to a couple of hours? Comes in handy when supplying critical time-sensitive materials in bulk.

Here (http://www.ncti-india.com/mem/jumbobag.htm) is a source for the pictures.

And here (http://www.gabbar.com/jumbo.htm) is a bag sewing machine supplier (copies of German machines) with a very interesting name.

Rohanpur likely corridor for B'desh's trade with Nepal

Doulot Akter Mala

The government has taken a move to develop Rohanpur corridor on the Rajshahi border to facilitate India-Bangladesh-Nepal trade.

It has sent a draft 'Operational Modalities for Carriage' to Nepalese government in this connection.

The Ministry of Communications held an inter-ministerial meeting recently to discuss about the points raised by the Nepal government, officials said.

Bangladesh railway has proposed selection of one of the two recommended routes as entry and exit points of the railway corridor for the Nepalese transit traffic.

One is from any point of Bangladesh railway system to Abdulpur-Rajshahi-Rohanpur-Singhabad with MG (metre gauge) transshipment at Santahar.

Another is from any point of Bangladesh railway system to Abdulpur-Santahar-Parbatipur-Chilhati-Haldibari with MG transshipment at Santahar.

Rohanpur is a goods train route. There was a rail link between Singhabad on the Indian side and Rohanpur on the Bangladesh side, but it has been closed since 1971.

In May 1990, an agreement was signed by the two parties to re-open the Singhabad-Rohanpur railway route.

Rohanpur-Singhabad is a broad gauge type of route and distance between the last stations of the two counties is 11 kilometre.

"It is a very promising route linking Bangladesh-India-Nepal. It will be the smallest corridor. Utilising the corridor, goods transportation cost between Bangladesh and Nepal will be reduced significantly," said Dr M Rahmatullah, transport policy adviser at the Bangladesh Planning Commission.

"A recent study on SAARC countries also pointed out the economic viability of the route, through which Nepalese goods could reach Mongla port easily," he said.

There must be a tri-partite agreement between the countries on transporting goods via this corridor.

Presently, bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh through the route is allowed, but India is yet to allow trade with third country using the route.

Noted economic analyst Zaidi Sattar, in a study paper on 'Regional cooperation for enhancing trade and investment', has pointed out that growth of intra-regional trade in South Asia has lagged behind other regions.

South Asia is among the least integrated of all regions with only $3.0 billion formal intra-regional trade, although having potentiality of $15-20 billion.

Another study paper on development of the South Asian northeast sub region, written by Sadiq Ahmed, head of WB (World Bank) south Asia regional cooperation unit, has said intra-regional trade is a mere 5.0 per cent of total official trade as compared with 45 per cent in East Asia.

"Capital flows through legal channels are negligible, transit arrangements are cumbersome and expensive, and the physical connectivity is limited and restrictive," the paper said.

The northeast sub-region of the South Asia comprises eastern and northeastern states of India, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

He pointed out that immediate priority is to facilitate trade and transit to promote more trade between Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan.

There is a tremendous prospect for trade creation if railroad link is developed between northeast sub-region with northwest sub-region (Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Western and north western India) and to China, the study paper said.

There are five rail routes connecting Bangladesh. Petrapole-Benapole, Gede-Darshana, Singhabad-Rohanpur, Radhikapur-Biral, Mohishasan-Shahbazar.

On April last, Gede-Darshana rail route opened up for running passenger train between Bangladesh and India.

9 lakh workers to go abroad
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka

The country is expected to send nine lakh workers abroad this year and remittances would increase to Tk 70,000 crore.
A total of 3,52,249 workers have already received permission to go abroad till May 20, which is 56 per cent more than the same period of last year. In 2007, a total of 2,24,725 got permission, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare said.
This was possible after the present government undertook a seven-point long-term plan for exploring oversees jobs.
As part of the plan, the government initiated a programme to search for employment scope abroad and widening the present labour market. Recently, the country exported 60 workers to Russia.
A two-member delegation will visit Russia soon to explore Bangladesh’s manpower export market in the European countries, including Russia.
The delegation comprising joint secretary of the Expatriates Welfare Ministry Monsur Raja Chowdhury and BAIRA’s president-elect Golam Mustafa will visit Vadivstock this month to have ideas about labour market in Russia and employment scope there.
They will join a forum on manpower export on May 29-30, the spokesperson said.
At the forum, they will discuss the issue of employment of a large number of skilled and non-skilled labourers in hotel, restaurant and road infrastructure sectors till 2012.
Besides, they will gain ideas about the nature of Russia’s labour market, sector-wise demand for labourers and facilities for workers there, the spokesperson said quoting the Bangladesh mission in Moscow.
Foreign adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury last year directed the Bangladesh missions abroad for preparing reports on possible labour markets in the respective countries.
After receiving the reports, the syllabus of 37 technical training centres under the Bureau of Manpower Export Training was updated. The principals of the TTCs have been invited to join a training in Dhaka on Sunday for giving them necessary guidelines about the syllabus.
Besides, necessary directives have been given to the technical institutes under the ministries of education, health and youth and sports to conduct training programmes under the updated syllabus.
The foreign adviser recently said the process of widening the job market would continue.

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html#4

Tk 70,000 crore (Over $10 Billion Dollars) is going to be an awesome feat. :cheers:

This is a nice picture:

http://thedailystar.net/photo/2008/05/21/2008-05-21__b01.jpg

Pran to invest $1m in its Tripura plant

Jasim Uddin Haroon

Pran, the country's largest food item producer, is now investing in India following a rise in demand for its consumer products in the neighbouring country, official sources said Monday.

Initially, the group will invest US$ 1.0 million at its plant in Tripura, a northeast province of India, with a provision of further expansion, they said.

Chief Executive of Pran-RFL Group Amjad Khan Chowdhury told the FE that the plant would go into production in the Indian state by December this year.

"We are now trying to find out a suitable brand name for our products that are expected to roll out of the Tripura plant later this year," Amjad added.

Pran, which produces around 500 products, is has been exporting a number of items to the neighbouring country for long.

Sources said Pran has bought 20 acres of land at Durjong Nagar, 16 kilometres away from Bangladesh border, to set up the plant.

Company sources said the market size of Pran products in the neighbouring country will be more than double of that of Bangladesh.

Currently, the group is exporting on an average Tk 300 million worth of products to India.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.info/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=34848

http://edailystar.com/contents/2008/2008_06_02/content_zoom/2008_06_02_21_15_b.jpg

Bengal Meat eyes non-traditional overseas market for exports

Jasim Uddin Haroon

Bengal Meat, the country's first frozen meat processing and exporting company, is now exploring non-traditional overseas markets to tap potential buyers of their products.

The export volume of the company is expected to double once orders are secured from overseas buyers.

The meat processing and exporting company is now in the final stage of negotiating with different importers of Egypt, Libya and Iran to export meat there shortly.

"Buyers from Iran, Egypt and Libya have been in touch with us. We are in the final stage of negotation to export meat there," said Md Mazharul Islam, managing director of Bengal Meat.

He also said his company will initially export around 700 tonnes a month to this non-traditional meat market and it will gradually raise its export volume depending on the demand.

Beangal Meat official sources said buyers from Iran wants to import around 600 tonnes frozen meat, Libya around 300 tonnes and Egypt around 150 tonnes each month.

Bengal Meat top executive said that traders of these nations want to buy their beef due to its quality.

"We are the world's sixth largest animal producing country in the world and this is another reason behind increased rush of buyers both from tradtional and non-tradional countries," Mazharul added.

Curretly, Bengal Meat is exporting around 600 tonnes of frozen meat each month to different middle eastern countries.

It first exported frozen meat in containers in February this year to Kuwait. Earlier it exported chilled meat to the Gulf nations by air.

It is now exporting around 200 tonnes to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 200 tonnes to Kuwait, 100 tonnes to Bahrain and around 100 tonnes to Saudi Arabia every month.

The factory, which is growing on an average 15 per cent, has been built in Santhia of Pabna and has been designed and equipped by a leading Australian food processing automation company.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.info/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=36009

http://edailystar.com/contents/2008/2008_06_09/content_zoom/2008_06_09_21_12_b.jpg

From the Budget 08-09

http://clip2net.com/clip/m7984/1213006797-clip-192kb.jpg

Tk 70,000 crore (Over $10 Billion Dollars) is going to be an awesome feat. :cheers:

Exports rise to 15pc in 10 months Apparel sales grow 41pc in April
Kazi Azizul Islam
Readymade garment exports recorded 41 per cent growth in April and pushed up the country’s overall export earning to nearly 15 per cent in 10 months of current fiscal from July 2007, sources at the commerce ministry said.
The July-April overall export earnings grew by 14.7 per cent to $11.37 billion while the RMG exports grew by 14.8 per cent, contributing $8.58 billion or about three-fourths of the total, according to ministry sources.
Industry people said better shipments of sweater in off-peck season and increased capacity in many knitwear and woven garment manufacturing units raised shipments from Bangladesh to the EU and US markets.
According to the latest export performance report of the Proportion Bureau, to be released within a day or two, export of knitwear segment grew 47 per cent in April to $479 million and 19.99 per cent to $4393 million during July-April.
Woven garment export grew by nearly 35 per cent to $415 million in the month and 9.73 per cent to $4186 million during July-April. ‘April exports performance had contribution to increased sweater shipments, said Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Anwar Ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, adding that the export performance also reflected the fresh capacity in woven and knit sector.
He predicted that although growth like January or April-like is rare, shipments in coming months would increase substantially.
If prediction of the RMG industry leader comes true, the country’s apparel export earning for the currant fiscal, to be ended in June, may reach $10.5 billion.
April’s RMG exports earning growth was the second highest after that of January this year when monthly growth was 58 per cent.
In January 2008, earnings from woven garments were $492 million, while knitwear fetched $464 million, posting 49 and 69 per cent growth respectively on January 2007 figures. January’s growth also turned around several months of sluggish sales earlier, specially a 24 per cent decline in export earnings in July 2007 and negative growths in the following three months.
Delayed impacts of mid-2006’s labour unrests in industry and global buyers’ anxiety due to country’s political unrest continued till January 2007 mirrored in the negative growth in the RMG export shipment then.

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html#9

Dhaka to prepare products list for marketing abroad

FE Report

Dhaka will prepare a list of products for marketing abroad under zero tariff facility as per WTO Hong Kong Declaration in 2005, said an adviser Thursday.

"The list will be prepared within the next month," said commerce adviser Hossain Zillur after a meeting with the country's trade experts on World Trade Organisation (WTO) issues.

It will include non-agricultural products as Hong Kong declaration adopted duty free access of 97 per cent products of least developed countries (LDCs) to developed and developing markets.

"Dhaka has to prepare the list as its representative in Geneva needs to start negotiation to implement the declaration," said the adviser.

The adviser said Dhaka will prepare another paper to press home its demand to allow duty free entry of its further three per cent products to overseas markets.

Dhaka has to select 97 per cent products from the country's existing tariff line covering 5226 products.

Developed and developing markets have the right to include some 150 products originating from Bangladesh and other LDCs within three per cent non-duty free access.

Experts said Hong Kong declaration is not favourable for LDC like Bangladesh as the country's major export item garment and textile might fall under non-duty free access and face higher duty.

Garment products account more than 75 per cent of the country's total export of US$ 12.18 billion in the last fiscal.

The commerce adviser said a strategic paper will be prepared by next three months to fix the country's future course of action against another Hong Kong declaration on withdrawal of subsidy on agricultural products by the rich countries.

Trade expert Mustafizur Rahman said the country might face problem if the rich countries withdraws subsidy on agricultural products.

Rahman said: "The withdrawal of subsidy will make the food grain costlier in the international market."

Bangladesh as a net food importing country will be forced to make costly imports to maintain overall food security, he said.

Frozen food exports fetch $500m in 10 months

The country fetched nearly half a billion U.S. dollar in the first ten months of outgoing fiscal from frozen foods exports despite external and domestic odds.

In the first ten months of the current fiscal, Bangladesh's exports earning from frozen foods was over $449 million, representing a 6.74 per cent growth over that in the same period of the last fiscal.

During the first ten months of the current fiscal, the export earning from frozen foods, however, fell short of the target by 7.80 per cent due mainly to slowdown of US economy which sharply affected shrimp consumption and prices.

"Prices of shrimp dropped by at least one U.S. dollar per pound due to poor demand of the food item in US market," Quazi Belayet Hossain, president of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters (BFFEA), told the FE Tuesday.

He could not tell the exact quantity of shrimp export to US market in the first ten months of the current fiscal but said it accounts for at least one third of the country's total frozen foods exports.

"We are now trying to boost our export to EU market which consumes 48-50 per cent of total export of frozen foods. Of which, shrimp exports contribute 90-92 per cent," he said.

Quazi said European consumers refrained themselves from buying Bangladeshi shrimps in normal quantities for the past two to three months following a EU report on the existence of nitrophuran in the Bangladeshi food item.

Frozen food exports will exceed or meet its export target set at $600 million for the current fiscal, Quazi said.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.info/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=37024

600 million in one year sounds like a good figure....any idea how much potential this industry has to bring in billions in the near future?

RMG worth $10.7b to be exported this year: BGMEA

Leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association on Wednesday said the apparel makers would be able to export readymade garments worth 10.7 billion US dollars this year.

The growth rate in the sector would rise this year due to increased demand for Bangladeshi garment items, they said during a meeting with the special assistant to chief adviser for Industries and Civil Aviation Mahbub Jamil.

Issues relating to business growth, increasing government assistance and steps to overcome the prevailing problems in the garment sector were discussed at the meeting, said an official handout.

Industry secretary M Nurul Amin, BGMEA president Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), second vice-president M Shahidul Islam, vice-president Mahmud Hasan Khan, director Mahbub

Alam Chowdhury and chairman of Standing Committee on Customs Rafez Alam Chowdhury were present.

The BGMEA leaders called upon the government to develop skilled manpower, ensure uninterrupted power supply and develop communication infrastructure, and provide short and long-term financial assistance.

They requested the government to improve management and other facilities at the Zia International Airport for the interest of apparel industry.

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html

RMG exports to India sees rapid increase


Duty free export of readymade garments (RMG) to India is rising rapidly with export volume reaching 0.3 million pieces over the period from early June to the middle of this month.

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has already issued allocation letters to local exporters for exporting more than 2 million pieces of readymade garments out of the total export target of 8.0 million pieces for the current calendar year. Sources at the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) confirmed this, saying they are hopeful of achieving the targets by year-end.

Although, the export target has been set for the whole year, the delivery of the goods started in early June. But given the pace at which booking of the export orders have been taking place, one source said, exporters might even surpass the target set for the year.

"The Indian market has accepted apparels made in Bangladesh very positively," he said.

One EPB source said exporters are given allocation letters on the basis of first come first serve basis. He said Indian importers place L/Cs, preceded by clearance by the textile committees in Delhi and Kolkata. They also put the import on record once it crosses the Indian customs.

Here in Bangladesh, on receipt of a L/C an exporter would pass it on to EPB for issuance of the allocation letter. The agency also issues tariff rated quota certificate and the SAFTA certificate to exporters to facilitate export to India, which is duty free under a special offer of the Indian government.

About half a dozen big Indian business houses are taking the bulk of the exports, while more buying houses are in the process of placing orders with the local manufacturers, the sources informed.

A source at the ministry of commerce said the RMG export has been on a smooth rise without any impediment. He said both sides have set up mechanisms for implementing the bilateral trade scheme and addressing problems if any.

So far, the delivery is taking place to the satisfaction of both sides, he observed.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=46105

Very good news and hope the trend increases. Bangladeshi manufacturers (especially textile makers) can cater to any degree of price-point level including the very highest. I've personally seen air-jet and water-jet looms in DEPZ which makes extremely high quality stretch denim and double-oxford Egyptian cotton shirting. Let the orders arrive -- they will be filled well :)

Talking about L/C's, the day of the L/C has come and gone. I think garments makers in Bangladesh should anticipate orders from across the border and self-finance garments shipments collaborating with buyers across the border as demand for garments in the subcontinent is cyclical and seasonal.

This is how they do business in China. They have items ready to ship. No need to wait. Only price and shipping terms need to be negotiated before shipping commences.

Local furniture maker makes export breakthrough in US


Jasim Uddin Haroon

A local furniture manufacturer said Sunday it made an export breakthrough in the United States after booking order to ship 600 pieces of chairs and window seats to the world's largest market.

Legacy Furniture Limited would export its first consignment to southern American state of North Carolina on October 30, making it the first company to export furniture to US$35 billions strong US market.

"Initially, we'll export 600 pieces of chairs and window seats to a North Carolina-based company at a price of US$40,000," said managing director of the company Amer Karim.

"It's not a big amount. But it's the beginning of a big export breakthrough for Bangladesh's hundreds of quality furniture manufacturers," he added.

North Carolina is called the furniture capital of the world, as most of the world's top manufacturers are based there.

"If our products can woo the clients of North Carolina, we can easily woo the rest of the world," Karim added.

Experts said Legacy's entry into the US market would provide a launching pad for top local companies like Hatil, Otobi, Brothers, Akhter Furnishers, Navana and Partex.

Among the Bangladeshi manufacturers, only Hatil and Otobi have exported their products abroad, but mostly in India, the world's largest furniture importer, and a meagre amount to several other Asian countries.

Karim said furniture made by Bangladeshi carpenters have impressed top buyers from the United States, including some chain shop owners.

"We have started with chairs. But almost all our wooden products have earned praises from the US companies. We hope to diversify our exports within a year," he said.

"We have already started negotiations with some of them."

A senior export official of the company said Bangladesh would emerge as a top furniture exporter within years, as the country has abundant cheap labour, a tradition in craftsmanship and a huge pool of top quality carpenters.

Legacy Furniture was established in 1999 at Gulshan and has four shops and a factory in the capital. Presently it employs 600 people.

The global furniture market is around $ 70 billion, with United States accounting for half the size.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.info/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=44958

Local furniture maker makes export breakthrough in US


North Carolina is called the furniture capital of the world, as most of the world's top manufacturers are based there.

"If our products can woo the clients of North Carolina, we can easily woo the rest of the world," Karim added.

--snip--

For those who may not know, all of America's top furniture brands have been traditionally based in North Carolina (e.g. Lane, Broyhill etc.). If these guys are convinced of Bangladeshi quality then this is an excellent headstart in the US market. Plus Bangladeshi pricepoint is cheaper than anyone -- even Vietnam, much less China.

Tea exports rebound on rising output
Sohel Parvez


The country's tea exports rebounded last fiscal year due to an increase in domestic tea production and the produce's competitive price in the global market, industry people said yesterday.

Export earnings from tea stood at $14.89 million in fiscal year 2007-08, up 114.55 percent from $6.94 million in 2006-07, according to Export Promotion Bureau statistics.

“A shortfall in tea production in a few tea producing countries has helped us attain the growth in export,” said Md Idris, executive director of HRC Syndicate, the biggest exporter of local tea. “High price of tea in the Indian market also offered us an opportunity to get a competitive edge in pricing,” said Idris.

Export earnings from tea recorded a sharp fall in fiscal year 2006-07, due mainly to a shortfall in tea production, which also drove tea prices up, industry insiders said. But a 6.15 percent increase in tea production in fiscal year 2007-08 helped exporters gain higher export earnings. Total production of tea stood at 58.83 million kg in the fiscal year 2007-08,up from 55.42 million kg a year ago.

Exporters said Pakistan is the biggest market for Bangladesh's tea. Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are the other major markets for local tea.

On the face of growing domestic consumption of tea, its production must rise so the producers can increase their export earnings, said industry people.

“The main problem in exporting tea is the production shortfall. We have to increase production to export more,” said Idris of HRC, which bagged over 35 percent of total export earnings from tea last fiscal year, followed by MM Isphahani and Elite International Ltd.

The HRC official said other countries such as Vietnam have advanced much in increasing tea production in the last couple of years.

“Production in Bangladesh is not increasing much to reach the expectation,” he said, adding that tea production will increase in the coming days as many new gardens are being added to the old ones due to relatively better prices of tea.

Idris, however, said export earnings in the current fiscal year is not that encouraging due to higher tea prices in the domestic market.

"As a result buyers, mainly from Pakistan, are discouraged."

Source: The Daily Star, http://thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=53941

Hopefully, once all the tea gardens at Panchagarh start producing tea, export of quality tea from Bangladesh will increase manifold!

Square Pharma marks its footsteps in Hong Kong
BUSINESS REPORT

Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd., the market leader of the Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Industry and the first Bangladeshi pharmaceutical company to attain the UK MHRA certification has very recently started exporting its world-class pharmaceutical products to Hong Kong. Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China, enjoying first world living conditions with GDP Per Capita USD 42.000, has a pharmaceutical market worth around USD 715 million.

Square Pharma has already registered 05 products in Hong Kong and has exported its pharmaceutical consignment to Hong Kong in July 2008. SQUARE has more than 20 products in queue in the office of the registration approval authority of the Department of Health, Hong Kong.

Hong Kong IS a moderately regulated market with strict enforcement of the International Patent Regime. So, SQUARE's products had to undergo the rigor and complexity of its highly meticulous regulatory screening system before attaining registration approval.

With the inclusion of another strategically important market in its export distribution like Hong Kong, SQUARE continues to maintain its stride for adding more premium export markets in its overall global international market presence.

Source: The New Nation: http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/09/14/news0483.htm

July export jives with knitwear feat
Marks 84pc rise over last year's
Staff Correspondent

http://www.picamatic.com/show/2008/10/05/05/37/1132203_300x187.jpg

The knitwear sector recorded a sharp exports growth fetching $640.50 million in July, an 84.72 percent rise over the corresponding period of last year, while the total export grew by 71.01 percent.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), total export this July was $1.543 billion. It was $902.33 million in July 2007 when knitwear export was recorded at $346.74 million.

Knitwear export was recorded at $603 million in June this year.

In fiscal year 2007-08, export for the sector was estimated at $5.532 billion with a 21.24 percent growth, exceeding the $5.465 billion target, the EPB data show.

The EPB has not yet announced the export target for fiscal year 2008-09.

EPB Vice Chairman Shahab Ullah said, "We will announce the annual export target for different sectors after the Eid and Puja vacations."

According to the EPB, the export price index increased by 5.28 percent in July while export volume rose by 65.73 percent.

The export price index for primary products increased by 5.68 percent while the export volume rose by 22.88 percent. In the manufacturing sector, the index increased by 5.25 percent and export volume by 69.39 percent.

"The export figure of July is a good one. Upcoming months will see more exports as different sectors have become more active," Shahab said.

A sharp rebound in knitwear exports followed by peaceful political environment, currency appreciation against the dollar by major competing countries and aggressive marketing drive helped fuel exports of local products, said people involved in the sector.

Export of woven garment also regained sharply in July fetching $547.30 million with a 58.55 percent growth while it was $345.20 million in July 2007. Woven garment export reached $5.168 billion in FY2007-08.

Export of frozen foods was $64.06 million in this July, registering a 39.47 percent growth compared to the corresponding period of 2007.

Besides this phenomenal export growth in knitwear and woven sectors--two major sub-sectors of ready-made garment (RMG), exports of home textiles, raw jute, footwear, handicrafts, ceramic products, jute products, petroleum by-products, terry towel and textile fabrics also showed a good growth in July.

Export of home textiles was $28.99 million with 55.19 percent growth, raw jute $11.57 million with 78.27 percent growth, footwear $18.58 million with 75.61 percent growth, handicrafts $0.46 million with 31.43 percent growth, ceramic products $4.15 million with 85.27 percent growth, jute products $30.07 million with 32.70 percent growth, petroleum by-products $30.20 million with 1425.25 percent growth, terry towel $11.29 million with 34.40 percent growth and textile fabrics $7.66 million with 697.92 percent growth, the EPB data showed.

Source:http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=57284

Remittance is likely to hit 10billion US Dollars this year:banana:

Remittance flows in thick
Marks 44pc rise over last year's
Staff Correspondent

In addition to achieving higher export earnings, the country witnessed a 44 percent growth in remittance earnings during the first quarter of 2008-09 fiscal year compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Due to the steady trend in remittance earnings, Bangladesh for the third time ever reached $800 million mark in remittance earnings in a single month. Bangladeshi workers living abroad sent home $802.58 million in September.

The other records of remittance earnings in a single month are $820.71 million in July and $808.72 million in March this year.

A surge in manpower exports last year and the Eid and Durga Puja festivals contributed to the boom in remittance earnings in the first quarter, a high official of Bangladesh Bank said.

A total of 9,81,102 Bangladeshi people went abroad in 2007-08 fiscal year which is about 74 percent above the previous fiscal year figure. A total of 5,63,584 people went abroad in the 2006-07 fiscal year, Bangladesh Bank statistics show.

According to the statistics, on monthly average basis more than 81,000 Bangladeshis went abroad in 2007-08 fiscal year. The figure was 46,000 in the previous fiscal year.

Non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) sent $2.345 billion to Bangladesh between July and September. The figure was $1.629 billion during the same period in the last fiscal year, according to the Bangladesh Bank statistics.

Like remittance earnings, export earnings recorded 71 percent growth in July this fiscal year compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year.

Meanwhile, commercial banks are involved in a stiff competition among themselves to attract remittance as remittance has became a major source of foreign currency, a high official of a commercial bank said.

The banks are aggressively offering quick and reliable services to attract Bangladeshi wage earners to send money home through their banking channels.

Meanwhile, private bank officials said the global economic slowdown, mainly in the US and European countries, is yet to impact the remittance inflow. They, however, apprehend that if the crisis continues it may have a negative impact on the inflow.

According to the statistics of the last fiscal year, Bangladesh received about 27 percent remittance from the US and European countries alone.

Mainly due to high growth in remittance earnings, the foreign exchange reserve is in a comfortable position despite a swell in import costs. The foreign exchange reserve stood at $5.783 billion, Bangladesh Bank statistics said.

Import costs increased by 26 percent in the last fiscal year. Import costs increased by 34 percent in the month of July in the current fiscal year.

Source:http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=57754

What do you guys think of this observation....Could falling oil prices and contracting economies of developed countries actually benefit a low end products supplier like BD?Or would a global economic turmoil mean falling exports for us too?


Export target fixed at $16.289 billion
Zillur terms it ‘logically ambitious’
under global turmoil
Staff Correspondent

The country’s export target for the current fiscal year has been fixed at $16.289 billion.
Commerce adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman on Wednesday termed the export target ‘realistically ambitious’ under the purview of global economic turmoil.
‘We will have to take the opportunity of present world economic slump situation,’ he said.
Taking into consideration the global economic situation, particularly in the United States and the European Union countries, Zillur said the US consumers might be turned away their faces from expensive high quality products from European Union countries.
He was talking to the reporters after emerging from a meeting on ‘fixing the current fiscal year export target’ in the commerce ministry auditorium in Dhaka.
The commerce adviser chaired the meeting which was also attended by Commerce secretary Feroz Ahmed and Export Promotion Bureau chairman Mohammed Shahabullah.
The meeting has fixed $16.298 billion export target for the fiscal year 2008-09, which is 15.50 per cent higher than that of the previous fiscal year.
The product-wise and destination-wise targets were set on the basis of last five years’ trend when the export earnings registered growth rates not less than 14 per cent. The highest growth was recorded at about 22 per cent in the financial year 2005-06.
Replying to a question, Zillur said the country could come out as winner of the global situation as the consumers from developed countries would go for cheaper commodities under the contracting state of economy.
He informed that some exporters were in favour of setting the export target at higher point, but the meeting eventually set the target at present level.
Bangladeshi ship exporters two weeks back have already delivered several ships, one of the new products added to the country’s export basket, but the export proceeds of these ships and other in the pipeline were not estimated in the target.
The Commerce adviser said government would organise a workshop next month to review the export performance and target under the purview of economic turmoil, so it could reset the country’s export strategy in response to the global changes.
He informed that country’s exports to some new destinations including, the countries in middle-east and central Asia, were increasing significantly.
He added that government has already undertaken initiatives in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen the Bangladesh missions abroad to accelerate export growth.
Replying to a query, the commerce adviser said the setting of target for the fiscal year has delayed as the practice is to analyse the past 12 months export trends and it takes two months to get the exact export figures of June, the last month of the previous fiscal year. The commerce ministry will set the target on the basis of 10 month export trend from next year.
The highest export target was set at $6.6 billion for Knit apparels, increasing by 19 per cent over the earnings of $5.5 billion in previous fiscal year, followed by woven apparels at $5.7 billion, with 10 per cent growth over the past year earnings of $5.3 billion. Mission-wise, the highest target was set for United State at $4.15 billion, with 12 per cent growth over the previous year, followed by United Kingdom at $2.5 billion, with 15 per cent higher than that of the performance in previous year.
In the 2007-08 fiscal year, out of 44 foreign missions, 20 failed to achieve their export targets, while only five missions became successful in achieving their set goals.

Source:http://www.newagebd.com/2008/oct/09/busi.html#1

falling oil prices are still to make an effect on bd i dont think unless bangladesh diversifies and esp into luxury items we wouldnt be able to rake in on the cash

we need to get into high end goods and electronics manufacturing.

Thanks for sharing your view Dope

Is there anyone else with a similar or different opinion?:)

Garments Exports expected to Reach 25 Billion US dollars within 5 years:cheers:


Garment exports soar at China's expense
AFP, Dhaka

Bangladesh's leading garment-making group said Wednesday that exports would more than double to around 25 billion dollars over the next five years, as buyers turn away from rising labour costs in China.
Garment exports rose by nearly 17 percent to a record 10.7 billion dollars in the financial year to June 2008, and in July alone rose a year-on-year 75 percent, according to figures from the government's Export Promotion Bureau.
"In the 2008-09 financial year, our exports will hit 13 billion dollars," said Anwar ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, head of the 4000-factory strong Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
"Most of the bigger factories have expanded due to increased orders from buyers such as Wal-Mart. We've now targeted 25 billion dollars in 2013," Parvez said.
Experts said the impoverished country's abundant cheap labour and stagnant growth in Chinese apparel due to higher wages had helped make Bangladesh more attractive to the world's top buyers.
"China is still the dominant player in the global apparel market. But they are no longer competitive," said Syed Fakhrul Islam Murad, head of the textile department at private Southeast University.
"Bangladesh's wages in garment factories are now at least one-third of China. No one can produce cheaper than us. If the power problem is fixed, the growth would be unlimited," he said.
The garment trade is the backbone of Bangladesh's manufacturing industry, accounting for 80 percent of total exports and 40 percent of industrial jobs.
A garment worker in Bangladesh earns a minimum 25 dollars a month basic salary after a deal struck in late 2006.
Some 40 percent of Bangladesh's 144 million people live below the poverty line and poor households spend nearly 70 percent of their income on food items.

Source:http://www.thebangladeshtoday.com/economy.htm

^^ Looks like we have weathered the storm. A few years ago when quotas were abolished it was thought by some pundits that most clients would flock to China and that countries like BD would lose market share. Kudos to our businessmen for proving them wrong.

Thanks for sharing your view Dope

Is there anyone else with a similar or different opinion?:)

I think we have to look at the months of August and September to get a more clear picture, but since Bangladesh makes the lowest cost textile this crisis may actually help us; since consumers in the west will start to purchase more cheap goods rather than luxurious goods due to negative economic outlook. Also with EU imposing duties on major footwear producers, our competitors have been hurt and this give us the scope to grab a major portion in this industry.

Garments Exports expected to Reach 25 Billion US dollars within 5 years:cheers:


Garment exports soar at China's expense
AFP, Dhaka

Bangladesh's leading garment-making group said Wednesday that exports would more than double to around 25 billion dollars over the next five years, as buyers turn away from rising labour costs in China.
Garment exports rose by nearly 17 percent to a record 10.7 billion dollars in the financial year to June 2008, and in July alone rose a year-on-year 75 percent, according to figures from the government's Export Promotion Bureau.
"In the 2008-09 financial year, our exports will hit 13 billion dollars," said Anwar ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, head of the 4000-factory strong Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
"Most of the bigger factories have expanded due to increased orders from buyers such as Wal-Mart. We've now targeted 25 billion dollars in 2013," Parvez said.
Experts said the impoverished country's abundant cheap labour and stagnant growth in Chinese apparel due to higher wages had helped make Bangladesh more attractive to the world's top buyers.
"China is still the dominant player in the global apparel market. But they are no longer competitive," said Syed Fakhrul Islam Murad, head of the textile department at private Southeast University.
"Bangladesh's wages in garment factories are now at least one-third of China. No one can produce cheaper than us. If the power problem is fixed, the growth would be unlimited," he said.
The garment trade is the backbone of Bangladesh's manufacturing industry, accounting for 80 percent of total exports and 40 percent of industrial jobs.
A garment worker in Bangladesh earns a minimum 25 dollars a month basic salary after a deal struck in late 2006.
Some 40 percent of Bangladesh's 144 million people live below the poverty line and poor households spend nearly 70 percent of their income on food items.

Source:http://www.thebangladeshtoday.com/economy.htm

If $25/month is the minimum, what is the median? $25 is a pittance. I cannot even comprehend how difficult it is to get by with twenty five bucks a month. That is less than 2K in Taka. That barely puts food on the table. Don't tell me that the owners cannot afford to pay more because it would cut into their margins and thereby, the very competitiveness. I think the disparity of earnings between a garment worker and its owner is something comparable to the asymmetric compensation package between an average US white collar worker and his (her) CEO.

^^^ The problem is we have a huge pool of workers suffering from 'hidden unemployment' who desparately need employment. So, garments owners can afford to keep wages low. It is like an unspoken threat - if you don't want to work at $25 a month, then I can fire you and there will be someone else who would be willing to do your job at that wage (kind of what Marx said a long time ago). Unless we can reduce this unemployment situation in Bangladesh through industrialization, wages will be very low, and the poor will live in near-subsistence level.

Disclaimer: I just mentioned an idea of Marx here, but I am not a supporter of Marxist philosophy! I just believe that some of his ideas have some truth in them.

^^^ The problem is we have a huge pool of workers suffering from 'hidden unemployment' who desparately need employment. So, garments owners can afford to keep wages low. It is like an unspoken threat - if you don't want to work at $25 a month, then I can fire you and there will be someone else who would be willing to do your job at that wage (kind of what Marx said a long time ago). Unless we can reduce this unemployment situation in Bangladesh through industrialization, wages will be very low, and the poor will live in near-subsistence level.

Disclaimer: I just mentioned an idea of Marx here, but I am not a supporter of Marxist philosophy! I just believe that some of his ideas have some truth in them.

If I were you, I wouldn't bother with the disclaimer. Perhaps it is a necessary requirement so as to be politically correct but look at where are today -- US nationalizing financial institutions -- an anathema to "Capitalism" purists. While Karl Marx and communism may be a discredited theory and practice, there are many elements in it that are better suited for many countries. To my mind the best social order is such were elements of both capitalism and socialism are blended together.

China to buy Bangladeshi products worth $80 m




UNB, Dhaka



Chinese importers will sign several contracts today to import Bangladeshi products worth US$ 80 million to reduce huge trade imbalance against Dhaka.

The Chinese entrepreneurs will buy jute and jute-goods, marine products and leather from their Bangladeshi counterparts under the deals.

"Although it is not big but reflects our sincerity and willingness to address Bangladesh's concern about the trade gap," leader of a visiting Chinese Trade and Commerce delegation Liang Wentao told UNB yesterday evening.

Wentao, who is leading a 20-member delegation comprising representatives of eight companies, said China does not want trade imbalance with other countries. "But we can't to wipe out the deficit-we want to address it sincerely."

Current trade imbalance between the two countries comes to a staggering figure of around $3 billion, as China's comparatively cheap products have a big marker in Bangladesh.

Wentao, Deputy Direct General of the Asian Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, said the issue of trade deficit is a headache for different countries caused by different structures of economies of different countries.

He, however, said bilateral trade between Dhaka and Beijing has been on the rise as last year trade stood at $ 4.4 billion, an increase of 30 percent over the previous year.

In reply to a question, Wentao said Bangladesh could be an attractive destination for Chinese textile industries which are being shut down or going out of China.

"We're always telling our entrepreneurs to come to Bangladesh and invest here," he said.

Asked about lowering tariffs to enable more access of Bangladeshi products to the Chinese market, Wentao said basically lowering tariffs or duty does not help much, but still China bilaterally as well as under the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement provided duty-free access to a good number of Bangladeshi export items.

Replying to a question, the delegation leader said both China and Bangladesh are strong in the garment sector, but they are in conflict as China has diversified its garment products.

Expressing confidence about improving bilateral trade and economic cooperation, he hoped that Bangladesh would be able to improve its domestic economy and diversify its export basket.

Wentao, who is now on a tri-nation tour of India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, said the Chinese government is ready to extend any financial and technical cooperation in infrastructure building or development of any industry like jute in Bangladesh if initiatives come either from the Bangladesh government or entrepreneurs.

He last visited Dhaka a decade ago, and was now impressed to see the development that took place here. He praised the micro-credit innovation by Nobel laureate Prof Mohammad Yunus to alleviate poverty.

http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/10/14/news0817.htm

Export earnings go up by 20pc
Kazi Azizul Islam

The country’s export earnings increased by more than 20 per cent to $2.9 billion in the July-August period of current fiscal, compared to the same period in the previous year, according to a release of Export Promotion Bureau.
The export processed also surpassed the target by about four per cent, showed the monthly export earnings statement of EPB released on Monday.
The EPB release showed that earnings from readymade garment export increased by 44 per cent to $2.243 billion, knitwear 53 per cent to $1.128 billion and woven garment 36 per cent to $1.033 billion.
Apart from apparel, frozen food grew by 5 per cent to $104 million, footwear by 63 per cent to $43 million dollar, fresh and processed agricultural products by 44 per cent to $35 million and terry towel by 24 per cent to $23 million during the period.
Despite missing their respective targets, export earnings of jute goods grew by three per cent to $55 million, home textile by 30 per cent to $55 million, ceramic products by 31 per cent to $8 million and tea by 8 per cent to $3 million.
The raw jute earned $18 million, finished leather $39 million and handicrafts $0.9 million during the period. These products missed their targets and saw export earning fall.
The price index of the primary products increased by 25.4 per cent while that of the manufactured products by 6.2 per cent. In volume, the primary products’ index declined by 13 per cent, but manufactured products’ index increased by 39 per cent.
The export earning target for the current fiscal year was set at 16.3 billion dollars, 15.6 per cent up over the target of previous year.

Source:http://www.newagebd.com/2008/nov/04/busi.html#2

Seems like the Garments exporters are in line for meeting their target of 13 Billion dollars exports this year.


Apparel export hits 45 pc growth
News Report


Despite the ongoing global financial turmoil, the country''s apparel export registered a growth of 45 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.
At that time Bangladesh exported readymade garments worth of $3.4 billion mainly to the US and EU countries, said a commerce ministry official.
The export figure will restore apparel exporters confidence despite a few days back the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted fall in exports from Bangladesh to a single digit, if hammered by the global financial recession.
In the first quarter (July-September) of the current fiscal year, export earning from the woven and knitwear recorded $1.525 billion and $ 1.831 billion respectively.
At the same time the two export sub-sectors have registered a growth of 36.67 percent and 52.05 percent respectively than the same period of the previous fiscal.
Bangladesh earned $492.08 million from the exports of woven items in September, up from $485.90 million in August and the figure was $353.78 million in September in the last fiscal year (2007-08).
Export earning from the knitwear was $620.94 million in September, which was $569.64 million in August and was $412.46 million in September of the last fiscal year.
Moreover, the country''s export earnings from the sector in September alone were more than $1.11 billion, more than 45 percent up over the same month of 2007.
The impact of global financial crisis in RMG sector is yet to visible at present as export orders were placed before the global economy started to meltdown, told BGMEA president Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez to The News Today on Wednesday.
"We are cautious about the negative impact of recession in the US and Europe as both are our principal export destinations and the impact will visible after the month of December," he added.
He said Bangladesh RMG sector will able to face the global crisis due to competitive price and quality.

Source:http://www.newstoday-bd.com/frontpage.asp?newsdate=#16120

No wonder Garments exporters predict their exports would more than double to 25 Billion Dollars within 5 years, IKEA itself wants to buy almost half Billion dollar goods/year by 2013


IKEA to triple purchases from Bangladesh
Star Business Report

IKEA, a Sweden-based international home products retailer, plans to raise its purchases from Bangladesh, mainly home textiles, to 300 million euros from 100 million euros a year by 2013, an official said yesterday.

"Bangladesh is a big focus area for IKEA. Currently the main business is textiles and many popular IKEA articles are produced here,” said Peter Wisbeck, the company's South Asian regional manager, at the opening ceremony of its office in Gulshan.

IKEA started purchasing home textile from Bangladesh in 1997 and it opened a small work station in Dhaka in 2000.

Peter said, "We have opened the new liaison office in Dhaka as we think Bangladesh is one of the potential sourcing centres for IKEA.”

“The aim is to grow the Bangladesh business three times in the coming few years. Besides textiles, IKEA also buys carpets and ceramics,” he added.

The company's headquarters for South Asia's trading service is in New Delhi. It has regional offices in Chennai, Dhaka and Karachi. Sixteen people are working in the Bangladesh office of IKEA.

The IKEA officials in Dhaka said there are 253 stores of the company in 24 countries, which were visited by 565 million people last year. Its turnover in 2007 was 21.2 billion euros.

The top three markets, in terms of sales, of the IKEA products are Germany (15 percent), USA (10 percent) and France (10 percent). The IKEA Group employs about 127,800 workers in 39 countries, Peter said.

Ambassador of Sweden in Bangladesh Britt F Hagstrom inaugurated the new office.

At the inaugural ceremony, Hagstrom said 50 Swedish companies have been doing business with Bangladesh and IKEA is a prominent and important one.

"Trade relations between Sweden and Bangladesh have grown over the years and I hope that it will continue to grow in the years to come," the ambassador said.

Source:http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=64129

The IKEA Group:

The IKEA story began in 1943 in the small village of Agunnaryd in Sweden, when founder Ingvar Kamprad was just 17.

IKEA offers a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them. This is the idea at the heart of everything IKEA does, from product development and purchases to how they sell their products in IKEA stores globally.

Anybody can make a good-quality product for a high price, or a poor-quality product for a low price. But to make good products at low prices, one needs to develop methods that are both cost-effective and innovative. This has been IKEA's focus since its beginnings in Småland, Sweden. Maximizing the use of raw materials and production adaptation to meet people's needs and preferences has meant that IKEA'a costs are low. The IKEA way of doing things is to pass these cost savings on to customers.

The IKEA Group has grown into a major retail experience, with more than 250 stores in 24 countries and over 127,000 co-workers in 36 countries, has annual sales worth more than 21 billion euros.

Top 5 purchasing countries:

China 21%
Poland 17%
Italy 8%
Sweden 6%
Germany 6%

Top five sales countries:

Germany 15%
USA 10%
France 10%
UK 7%
Sweden 6%

Sales by region:

Asia and Australia 3%
North America 15%
Europe 82%

Turnover (excluding tax) in Billion EURO:
2004: 13.57
2006: 17.66
2007: 20.68


Source: www.ikea.com

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/c8149c4b62.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

No. 6 and still growing at 8% :cheers:

Country earns Tk 1636cr by exporting plastic products

The country had earned a total of Taka 1636.76 crore in 2006-2007 by exporting plastic products.

"Plastic industries have immense potential where about five lakh people are employed," Shamim Ahmed, general secretary of Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers Association (BPGMEA) said while talking to BSS yesterday.

He said at present only 20 percent of the potential of the country's plastic industries is being used. The domestic demand of plastic products was 5.40 tonnes in 2005 and the demand is growing at an annual rate of 20 percent.

The export growth of plastic products was 63.24 from 2005-06 fiscal to 2006-07.

There are 2,997 plastic industries in the country, of which 52 are large scale, 980 medium and 1,965 small.

Of the total plastic industries, 381 are hundred percent export-oriented. Among the plastic industries, 65 percent are based in Dhaka while 20 percent in Chittagong, 10 percent in Narayanganj and five percent are in Khulna, Comilla, Bogra and Rajshahi. Presently Bangladesh has been exporting plastic items to Italy, New Zealand, Poland, China, UK, Belgium, France, Germany, USA, Canada, Spain, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Australia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and other countries.

The BPGMEA sources said Bangladesh is now exporting plastic shopping bags, garbage bags, butcher bags, oven sacks, industrial films, PVC pipes, polythene sheet, plastic hanger, hand gloves, ropes, plastic waste, V-belt, toys, electronic switches, polyester thread, computer accessories, video/audio cassette, melamine table ware, toothbrush, ball pen and artificial flower etc.

Plastic products are popularly used as household items, table ware, kitchen ware, office equipment, toiletries, packaging, building materials, engineering parts, industrial equipment, agricultural product, poultry and fishing, automobile and cycle parts, electronics, textiles articles and musical products.

Referring to various demands of the BPGMEA, Shamim Ahmed said withdrawal of 100 percent bank guarantee is necessary for smooth running of the plastic industries. Process is going on to set up a plastic industrial estate but getting environment clearance certificate should be made easier in this regard, he said.

The BPGMEA sources said plastic is a wonder of polymer chemistry, have become an indispensable part of modern life. At the same time, its disposal is being viewed as a matter of environmental concern, since plastic is not biodegradable.

Bangladesh do not have polymer industry, despite having facilities of using natural gas. As all polymer raw materials are imported and there is a scope of recycling waste plastics which could be a way to protect the environment.

With the growth of plastic manufacturing sector, plastic industries have been successfully exporting plastic products to the developed countries.

Nearly hundred percent of the plastic packaging materials used by the exporters of Bangladesh are being supplied by the local plastic industries, in the form of deemed export. The volume use of plastic products is growing with the development of the country. Volume of plastic wastes is also increasing. At least, 60 percent of plastic wastes are being recycled in the country that save about 400 million US dollar per year cutting import of resin.

Since plastic is not bio-degradable, it is essential to promote recycling of plastic waste and to reach 100 percent recycling of such wastes, the source added.

Source: The New Nation: http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/01/23/news0372.htm

More Bangladeshi products get duty-free access to South Korea

NATION BUSINESS REPORT

South Korea has expanded its zero-tariff facility for Bangladeshi products from this year. Under the scheme, 34 additional Bangladeshi items including RMG, ceramic tableware and jute carpet will receive duty-free access to Korean market.

South Korea has already provided duty-free treatment for many items from LDCs. However, their duty-free programme did not cover many items in which Bangladesh enjoy comparative advantage. The Bangladesh government last year submitted a list of items to the Korean authorities for inclusion in the Korean duty-free scheme. The present expansion has accepted 34 items from Bangladesh's request list.

The most important aspect of the expansion is that as many as 31 categories of RMG products (at 6-digit HS code) will henceforth enjoy zero-tariff entry into the South Korean market. So far, South Korea showed reluctance to open its market for RMG as the country itself is a major producer of apparel. The items that has benefited from the new overture also include ceramic tableware and jute carpet.

It may be mentioned that Bangladeshi export to South Korea increased from US$42 million in FY2005-06 to US$95 million in FY 2007-08. Officials of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Seoul hoped that the duty free facility accorded to RMG products will faster the pace of export growth to South Korea.

Source: The New Nation: http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/01/25/news0567.htm

South Korea showed reluctance to open its market for RMG as the country itself is a major producer of apparel. The items that has benefited from the new overture also include ceramic tableware and jute carpet

Reluctance for what? Their prices in Korea for woven and knit goods is atrocious (more expensive in Seoul sometimes than in London or New York).

They have to get the local profiteers and goons to face some competition music and back off some. Just like the rest of the world. Having closed protected markets is a prescription for shooting oneself in the foot.

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/8204e22dce.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)
Yet Another New Export Product

Nasir Glass Industries Limited (NGIL) exported more than Tk 20 crore worth of glass in 2008, a chunk of which went to the northeastern states of India. The country's largest glassmaker that started commercial operations in September 2005 had explored the new markets over the past two years. The company exported glass worth about Tk 13 crore in 2007, according to NGIL and bank officials.

“Ninety percent of the company's exports go to the Indian market,” said Touhidul Alam Khan, executive vice president and head of syndication and structured finance unit of Prime Bank. The bank deals with the company export documents.

Both Bangladesh's export basket and markets are limited to a few products and countries. Many say that it is the collective failure of both businessmen and the government to diversify export products and destinations. Glass has been added to the list of few products -- jute, garments, battery, cement -- that are generally exported to India. Bangladesh's exports to India are a mere $350 million against imports worth $3.5 billion from the next-door neighbour.

“We also export to Nepal, Bhutan, South Africa and Kenya, in addition to the north eastern states of India,” said Abu Sayed, general manager (commercial and banking) of NGIL. “Now the company is trying to explore new export markets including the United States and the oil rich Middle Eastern countries," added Sayed.

NGIL was set up with Tk 200 crore in investment, equipped with the state of the art technology and machinery. Prime Bank lent Tk 100 crore as a syndicated term loan over a period of six years. Some 14 financial institutions participated in the largest syndicated arrangement in 2003. In just three years of production, NGIL sales turnover stood at Tk 182 crore in 2008, which was Tk 157 crore in 2007, according to company statistics. The company manufactures float glass, reflective glass, tempered glass, coated glass, mirrors, clear and coloured glass.

Besides NGIL, PHP Group also started commercial production of float glass at about the same time. Two other companies Osmania, owned by the government and MEB by Ilais Brothers, a private business house in Chittagong, were in operation earlier. Currently, all these four companies produce around 350 tonnes of glass a day against their combined capacity of around 400 tonnes, according to the respective officials. NGIL produces 180-200 tonnes a day, PHP produces 100 tonnes on a single day and Osmania and MEB congregate the rest.

Bangladesh had once met 70 percent of its demand for glass by imports, at the time 2003-04. Now the sector exports after fulfilling the country's total market demand for the product. Industry people said the country is saving crores of money that was previously spent on import of the product. Acording to a market study jointly conducted by a local private bank and an international research organisation in 2003, Bangladesh imported 6.51 crore square feet of glass in 2003. The local companies produced 4.14 crore square feet the same year.

Glass is produced with silica sand, dolomite, soda ash and limestone, of which, silica sand represents 70 percent, a raw material available locally.“The company has already paid back about 70 percent of its syndicated term loan,” Touhidul Alam Khan said.

NGIL can produce as much as 20mm thick glass, while the maximum capacity of other companies is 12mm, according to NGIL's production manager.

sajjad@thedailystar.net

I don't know if we discussed this before -- but I remember Haradeo Glass factory near old Dhaka (Fulbaria maybe?). They used to make glass bottles I think. Don't know if they demolished the place...

BTW most of the glass produced by Nasir Glass is 'soft glass' (soda-ash glass). The hard glass (borosilicate) is the higher end stuff and used in laboratory beakers and high end wine and beer glasses.

And worrying about Indian imports vs. our exports to them is kind of a stretch, because Indians produce a far more diverse collection of goods (including high-dollar machinery) which we cannot offer to them. All in good time I guess.

Bibir Bazar landport opens tomorrow
Unb, Comilla

Newly constructed Bibir Bazar landport at Comilla border opens tomorrow with traders hoping of increased volume of trade with Tripura and adjoining states of India.

Srimantapur landport in Tripura, opposite Bibir Bazar, has been upgraded to handle increased volume of cargo, officials said.

Bibir Bazar landport was constructed on 10 acres at Katokbazar on the border by Shepherd Comilla Landport Limited, which took its lease for 15 years.

The government will get 15 percent of the revenue earned from the landport.

The customs office managing cross border trade at Bibir Bazar will now be shifted to the newly constructed port, which has all the facilities including warehouse.

Traders said boulders, cement, polythene, cosmetics are now exported, while onion, ginger, bamboo imported through Bibir Bazar customs station. They are hopeful of increased volume of trade, reaching adjoining states of Tripura.

Manager of Shepherd Landport Limited Golam Maula said roads linking the port with Chittagong and Dhaka need to be improved.

Source: The Daily Star: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=85046

Walton to export refrigerators to African nations
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka

Bangladesh is going to add another item, refrigerator, to its export basket as the local refrigerator-manufacturing-company RB Group has signed initial agreements with Japan and some other countries in Africa.

According to its officials, the local business group, after massive negotiations, signed its agreements with a number of importers in African countries to export its brand-product Walton Fridge. Now they are preparing to open LC for the import.

‘An agreement is likely to be signed soon with Japanese importer,’ said RB Group assistant director Mizanur Rahman.

He mentioned that some representatives of a Japanese importing company recently visited the RB Group’s manufacturing plant in Gazipur.

‘They have expressed satisfaction with the quality and standard of our products,’ Mizan said. ‘We’re expecting to export our products to Europe also as negotiations are going on.’

The RB’s manufacturing unit, Walton Hi-tech Industries, now produces about 6 lakh units of refrigerators against a demand for 4 lakh across the country. About 2,500 workers remained engaged in the manufacturing plant, set up on 20 acres of land.

The plant was set up not only to meet the local demand but also to export abroad. But the recent economic meltdown gives the Walton a good advantage as its production cost is relatively low due to lower labour cost.

RB officials noted that after the global meltdown, many manufacturing plants in developed countries were forced to shut down. These countries are now looking for imports from developing countries.

Mizan said his group has been the first local company which entered
into production of refrigerators and some other electronic goods. ‘We’re also producing motorcycle to meet the local demand,’ he added.

He claimed that Walton offered a 10-CFT refrigerator at Tk 20,700 while a similar-size imported refrigerator sells between Tk 30,000 and 33,000.

‘We can offer a cheaper price if we get policy supports and incentives from government,’ he said.

In the existing policy, he said, the import of refrigerator is easier than its production locally. ‘Import duty on raw materials is higher than duty on import of finished one.’

Presently, Walton is marketing 12 models of refrigerators by its 600 exclusive outlets and also by vendors throughout the country. Another 7 models will come into the market next month.

Source: The New Age: http://www.newagebd.com/2009/may/20/busi.html

Here's one of the Bangladeshi exporters (Superior footwear) of Goodyear-welted boots, some of the combat as well as the industrial steel-toed variety. There is a forward button if you scroll down -- keep pressing forward for the various designs. BTW -- I have no commercial connection with these people.

superior footwear selection (http://www.superiorfootwear.com/products.html)

I think most of the export-oriented outfits have excellent products and very competitive pricepoints-- we just don't market properly. Going to shoe-fairs alone is not enough. We have to catch the middlemen (China, Korea, Taiwan) and establish linkages because we don't have the trust factor of the Western shoe or leather goods buyers yet (in fact nobody in the subcontinent manufacturing leather export goods does).

Walton to export refrigerators to African nations
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka

Bangladesh is going to add another item, refrigerator, to its export basket as the local refrigerator-manufacturing-company RB Group has signed initial agreements with Japan and some other countries in Africa.

According to its officials, the local business group, after massive negotiations, signed its agreements with a number of importers in African countries to export its brand-product Walton Fridge. Now they are preparing to open LC for the import.

‘An agreement is likely to be signed soon with Japanese importer,’ said RB Group assistant director Mizanur Rahman.

He mentioned that some representatives of a Japanese importing company recently visited the RB Group’s manufacturing plant in Gazipur.

‘They have expressed satisfaction with the quality and standard of our products,’ Mizan said. ‘We’re expecting to export our products to Europe also as negotiations are going on.’

The RB’s manufacturing unit, Walton Hi-tech Industries, now produces about 6 lakh units of refrigerators against a demand for 4 lakh across the country. About 2,500 workers remained engaged in the manufacturing plant, set up on 20 acres of land.

The plant was set up not only to meet the local demand but also to export abroad. But the recent economic meltdown gives the Walton a good advantage as its production cost is relatively low due to lower labour cost.

RB officials noted that after the global meltdown, many manufacturing plants in developed countries were forced to shut down. These countries are now looking for imports from developing countries.

Mizan said his group has been the first local company which entered
into production of refrigerators and some other electronic goods. ‘We’re also producing motorcycle to meet the local demand,’ he added.

He claimed that Walton offered a 10-CFT refrigerator at Tk 20,700 while a similar-size imported refrigerator sells between Tk 30,000 and 33,000.

‘We can offer a cheaper price if we get policy supports and incentives from government,’ he said.

In the existing policy, he said, the import of refrigerator is easier than its production locally. ‘Import duty on raw materials is higher than duty on import of finished one.’

Presently, Walton is marketing 12 models of refrigerators by its 600 exclusive outlets and also by vendors throughout the country. Another 7 models will come into the market next month.

Source: The New Age: http://www.newagebd.com/2009/may/20/busi.html

AFAIK, Walton is gonna export fridges to Japan, South Africa, and Australia for the time being and later, to other Asian and middle eastern nations. i wish them good luck ! :)

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Local ceramics maker rides out global recession

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/8fd11c0463.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

FARR Ceramics now eyes capacity building

A local ceramics maker, in a span of less than two and a half years, has touched a credit mark of fetching around Tk 31crore from porcelain tableware exports in the immediate past fiscal year (2008-09), riding out the ongoing global recession.

FARR Ceramics Ltd, which has now a 10 percent market share in the Tk 300 crore exports of ceramics, went into commercial production in February 2007, exported nearly Tk 20 crore in FY 2007-08. Despite a tremendous growth rate, Iftakher Uddin Farhad, the company's chairman and managing director, believes Bangladesh has more scope than what it now exports. “I am going to double my factory's capacity soon to meet the growing export demand,” he said. “Quality and competitive price have helped us boost our exports." Bangladesh's competitiveness enhances day by day. Farhad said rising energy and labour costs in competitor countries might turn Bangladesh into a global hub of ceramics tableware after China.

Ceramics and tiles are an emerging industry in Bangladesh. Some Tk 2,000 crore has been invested in the sector, both from home and abroad. Ceramics's local market size was Tk 700 crore in FY 2008-09.

Bangladesh's export earnings from ceramics reached $33 million last fiscal from a meagre amount of $1 million in 1991. Besides FARR, other major exporting companies are Shinepukur, Monno and Artisan Ceramics. However, many local manufacturers and exporters could not remain immune from global crisis fallout, as exports have marked a decline.

During July-March in FY2008-09, ceramics exports declined to $25.60 million from $28.43 million in the same period a year earlier. FARR is among the few companies that are showing resilience in the international export market. The company exports to Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Spain, Turkey and India.

“India is growingly becoming an important export destination for our tableware. We export on an average $70,000 ceramics to the neighbouring country a month,” Farhad pointed out.
FARR Euro Fine Porcelain, FARR Fine Ivory and FAAR High Alumina Porcelain are some of the company brands. Renowned five star hotels in India such as Marriott, Taj, Grand and Ramada use FARR ceramics tableware, the company's MD claimed.

Higher energy and labour costs in China and Sri Lanka, the two major competitors, have paved the way for the company to cement its foothold in the global export market, Farhad said, lamenting government's lax attitude towards the industry.

“Turkey is becoming a major importer of Bangladeshi ceramics, but the country requires a health certificate, which our testing institution BSTI is not giving to us,” Farhad said. He said China gives 22.5 percent incentives to its ceramics exporters, but Bangladesh gives nothing. FARR Ceramics Ltd was established in 2005 with Tk a 120 crore investment. Some 1,000 workers are employed in the factory.

sajjad@thedailystar.net

Exports to Germany up by 27.5pc in 4 months

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka

The country’s exports to Germany have increased by 27.5 per cent during the last four months compared to the same period of last year, a workshop was told on Monday. Bangladesh has earmarked 2.76 billion euro export target this year to Germany which was 1.76 billion last year. Ready-to-wear garment exporters attending the workshop on ‘Ways to boost up RMG export to Germany under present recession’ said Bangladesh exports of RMG items to Germany would increase significantly at a time when the world became upset due to the financial recession.

The Bangladesh German Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised the brainstorming workshop in cooperation with German Technical Cooperation in its conference room in Dhaka. German ambassador Frank Meyke spoke as special guest while additional commerce secretary Mustafa Mohiuddin as special guest on the occasion. BGCCI president Saiful Islam gave the welcome speech.

Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association president Fazlul Hoque, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association vice-president Faruque Hassain and Export Promotion Bureau vice-president M Shahabullah took part in the inaugural session as designated discussants.

Frank Meyke, who is expected to leave Bangladesh this month on completion of his assignment, said export from Bangladesh to Germany had been growing steadily over the last few decades and this export growth is surprisingly increasing this year in the wake of the global economic crisis. He said around 90 per cent Bangladeshi-made goods, mostly woven and knitwear items, being exported to Germany while German export machinery and chemicals to Bangladesh. Referring to the German-Bangladesh Trade as an important field of bilateral relations between the two countries, the German envoy expressed the hope that trade relation would continue to grow through various promotional activities in trade and commerce in the coming days.

Appreciating the government’s recent promotional steps including public-private partnership regulatory reform measures and special economic zones, he said German investors would feel encourage to invest in Bangladesh. Mustafa Mohiuddin described the global economic recession as a threat to the developing countries in terms of economic prosperity and said Bangladesh was still remained out of purview of the recession impact following remedial measures taken by the government to deal with it. M Shahabullah said the country had fixed $16.3 billion export target this year, which was up to the satisfactory level compared to last year. Till July this year, he said, the export target increased by 12.7 per cent more than the estimated target. BGCCI president advocated for brightening the country’s image abroad, increasing productivity of RMG items and improving the low and order situation for increasing export.

More apparel buyers look to Bangladesh
Refayet Ullah Mirdha

With the signs of economic recovery in the western world, foreign buyers now lean towards Bangladesh's readymade (RMG) products, placing orders at an enhanced rate.

Major companies say they are now busy with making sweaters, as buyers are increasingly placing orders for the item in the upcoming winter season.

The country is in an advantageous position with cheap and quality apparels because its competitors like China, Pakistan and India are losing out their market share for their higher cost of production, said Nazrul Islam Swapan, managing director of Nassa Group, an apparel manufacturing giant.

"If the current improvement in the global financial crisis continues, it will be a boon for Bangladesh's apparel makers next June," Swapan said with conviction.

Higher cost of production and shifting to high-end products have driven China out of the apparel market, while Pakistan lost its reputation because it has long been a trouble-torn country, the Nassa Group boss pointed out.

India is also struggling to sustain competition, as its cost of production remains high, Swapan thinks.

"All of my units are pre-occupied with an increased number of international buying orders,” he said. Nassa has more than 36 production units right now.

Chairman of SQ Group Ghulam Faruque said he has also received significant number of orders from renowned western retailers, as the global financial meltdown shows signs of recovery by a certain degree.

Faruque is happy with the increased volume of export orders for sweater, but not with the price the buyers now offer for the item. “The problem lies with the price. It's too low to sustain, but we continue production to stay on competition,” the chief of the SQ Group, another leading apparel maker, lamented, pointing to the fact that the UK buyers are still offering the previous price. "We want higher price to be more competitive," he added.

Managing Director of DEKKO Group Shahadat Hossain Kiron's view on the increased buying orders is similar to others.

'The quantity of orders is higher than it was last year,” Kiron told The Daily Star over phone from Canada, the country he is touring now.

"The quantity is satisfactory, but the problem is price. The western buyers are not paying us a reasonable price, " he said.

However, he pointed out that Bangladesh's low-priced but quality products attract international buyers.

Chairman and Managing Director of Viyellatex Group K M Rezaul Hasanat, who is very upbeat on the country's future prospects for RMG exports, poins to the fact that Bangladesh is now on top priority list of Japan, one of the largest clothing markets.
Hasanat said a good number of Japanese are coming to Bangladesh as the Tokyo government advised the buyers to relocate 30 percent of their businesses to other countries than China.

"As a result, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia are on the priority list of Japanese buyers," he said.

He expects a further rise in orders in 15 days from now, as international buyers are coming here for winter collection.

Source:http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=96490

^^ This is great news!

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi garments manufacturers should look into getting a slice of the higher end apparel market.

^^ This is great news!

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi garments manufacturers should look into getting a slice of the higher end apparel market.
naw they only want a big pie from the stimulus package

Not too bad when the rest of the world seems to be experiencing negative export growth


FY09 exports total $15.36b
Post 10pc growth
Kazi Azizul Islam

The country’s export earnings amounted to $15.36 billion in the 2008-09 fiscal year, posting a 10 per cent growth amid export slide in many Asian countries, commerce ministry officials said.
The growth however was slower than previous year’s rise of 17 per cent. The country’s export revenues totalled $14.11 billion in the 2007-08 fiscal with apparels accounting for $10.7 billion or 76 per cent of the total.
Despite steep fall in global demands, readymade garments maintained 12 per cent growth and fetched $12 billion in 2008-2009 fiscal that ended in June.
Export Promotion Bureau officials are still analysing the export data to prepare sector-wise earning reports.
The complete annual export report is expected in a day or two, they said.
The starting of the fiscal year was robust for the garment exporters, but from October onwards apparel exports experienced seesaw in shipments to western market, hard hit by the worst recession in decades.
Exporters said they had to compromise on prices to stay afloat amid stiff competition from other Asian exporters.
EPB vice-chairman M Shahabullah told New Age on Sunday that price cuts on merchandises by the western importers impacted the overall export incomes.
‘It is very unfortunate that importers cited recession and forced Bangladeshi exporters to cut prices of apparels, whose prices are already lower than global average,’ he said.
Export target for the current fiscal may be set at $17.6 billion with 13 per cent growth projection, expecting $13.6 billion from apparel sales.

Source:http://www.newagebd.com/2009/aug/03/front.html#5

^^ hmm thts a good news :)
it was $14 bn before

Exports dive to six-year low
Slowdown shows impact of sinking global trade

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2009/08/05/2009-08-05__b01.jpg
Kawsar KhanExport growth hit a six-year low of 10.31 percent in the immediate past fiscal year, evidence of an impact of global recession on the country's shipments.

In fiscal 2008-09, exports amounted to $15.8 billion, falling 4.5 percent short of the $16.3 billion target, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data released yesterday.

The slowdown in exports comes in line with the ebbing trade worldwide. The World Trade Organisation forecasts that global trade will shrink by 9 percent to 11 percent this year because of recession in developed countries.

Export earnings of neighbouring India nose-dived more than a quarter in June, marking the ninth straight month that overseas sales have fallen in the economic crisis.

Bangladesh recorded overseas sales in fiscal 2007-08 at $14.1 billion, 15.87 percent growth over fiscal 2006-07, when exports had witnessed a 15.69 percent rise.

For Bangladesh, the fiscal 2002-03 was a bleak year when export growth was only 9.39 percent, according to historical figures.

In the last fiscal year, export growth came down because only five out of 21 major export products achieved growth while another 10 items experienced negative growth in exports.

"Export growth was low last fiscal year as global recession affected shipments in the second half," said EPB Vice Chairman Shahab Ullah.

The EPB official termed growth satisfactory compared to negative export growth in many other countries. "Bangladesh has so far been able to defy the impact of the economic slump," he said.

Shahab Ullah said EPB would try to make up for the shortfall by setting the target higher by $2 billion in export earnings for the current fiscal year.

According to media reports, imports by major economies of the world, including the United States, Japan and European countries, plunged.

Despite a sluggish export performance of several major products in Bangladesh, overall exports were recorded at moderate levels, banking mainly on earnings from the woven and knitwear sectors.

Woven garments, which take up over 80 percent of the country's export basket, posted 14.5 percent growth in the last fiscal year, fetching $5.9 billion. Export figures also exceeded the $5.7 billion target by 4.13 percent in fiscal 2008-09. Earnings from the sector were $ 5.2 billion in fiscal 2007-08.

In fiscal 2008-09, the knitwear sector fetched $6.4 billion, a 16.21 percent rate of growth over the pervious year's earnings of $5.5 billion. But the sector's earnings dropped 2.35 percent short of the $6.6 billion export target.

In fiscal 2008-09, terry towels, handicraft, computer services and chemical products achieved export growth, exceeding targets.

Meanwhile, footwear, home textiles, textile fabrics and agricultural products posted growth, but fell short of targets set by the government.

Frozen food, a major export item, witnessed a 14.89 percent negative growth rate during the period, earning $ 454.53 million, while leather exports slipped 37.65 percent, earning $177.32 million.

Sajjad Zohir, executive director of Economic Research Group, said the export performance of the country was satisfactory, considering the world is gripped by recession.

"Under a holistic approach, export performance may look bad but it was good since exports of all major economies in the world shrank," he said.

Zohir urged the government to make a sector-wise appraisal of export performance and take appropriate policy measures accordingly.

According to the Bangladesh Economic Review 2009, export growth in fiscal 2005-06 was 21.63 percent, 13.83 percent in 2004-05 and 16.10 percent in 2003-04.


http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=100230

Bangladesh garment exports post record high
By Shafiq Alam (AFP) – 13 hours ago

DHAKA — Bangladeshi garment exports hit a record high in the last fiscal year, official figures showed Wednesday, helped by low prices that undercut rivals in the region.

The strong performance confounded initial fears orders would fall dramatically due to the demand-sapping effects of the global recession.

Shipments of knitted and woven items jumped 15.5 percent to hit a record 12.35 billion dollars in the fiscal year to June 30, the government's Export Promotion Bureau said.

"We produce low-end products. No other apparel producers can beat Bangladesh on price," export bureau chief Shahab Ullah told AFP.

"Our manufacturers have become more competitive after the recession started to hit global exports from late 2008," he added.

A price war among Bangladesh's 4,500 manufacturers had helped spur orders, Ullah said.

Garment exports account for 80 percent of the impoverished country's overseas shipments.

"We have done very well compared to other countries in the region which have all posted negative growth because of the global recession," Ullah said.

India, China and Vietnam are Bangladesh's main garment export rivals.

The Bangladesh data came a day after figures showed India's garment exports fell by 15 percent to 2.4 billion dollars in the first quarter of the Indian financial year to June.

However, industry players said Bangladesh's export growth came at the price of profit margins.

Manufacturers said margins had been cut to the bone after they slashed prices to woo bargain-hunting retailers from the United States and European Union, which take 90 percent of the country's garment exports.

"We cut our prices by around 20 percent to survive," said Abdus Salam Murshedy, head of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

"Our exports grew because manufacturers have boosted volume at the expense of profit margins," Murshedy said. The companies are all unlisted and do not release profit figures.

Labour unions have blamed reduced profits for a spate of violent protests in recent months as many factories have cut wages to retain orders.

Last month two workers were killed and hundreds injured in protests over wage cuts and unpaid salaries. Three factories were torched and scores vandalised in four days of unrest near the capital.

The garment trade accounts for 40 percent of industrial jobs in Bangladesh where close to half of its 144 million people live below the poverty line.

Despite seeing growth slow from 40 percent in the first quarter to five percent in the remainder of last fiscal year, exports are forecast to grow by 13 percent in this fiscal year amid hopes developed markets will start to recover and demand will rise, Ullah said.

Exports overall grew 10.3 percent in the last financial year to 15.6 billion dollars, the slowest pace since 2002-03, hit by the international downturn.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gYUw8Z9Fp9Zh1idc2g1k99xd4R9A

Bangladesh to export freeze, motorcycle in Malaysia

UNB, DhakaBangladesh will export refrigerators and motorcycles to Malaysia after South Africa and Australia.

"RB Group of Companies Ltd, an electrical, electronics and automobile manufacturing and marketing company in Bangladesh, will export its Walton brand refrigerators and motorcycles to Malaysia," said a press release today issued by the group.

RB Group signed an agreement to this effect with a famous Malaysian company - Agate Group - at its office at Menara Safun Tower in Kuala Lumpur.

In the agreement ceremony, Walton adviser Mizanur Rhaman said, “Walton refrigerators are being exported to South Africa, Australia and some other European countries. Walton now eyes Asean countries for doing good business.”


Under the agreement, the Malaysian company will initially import 100,000 refrigerators and 50,000 motorcycles every year.

Through its marketing channels, Agate Group will sell the imported Walton brand refrigerators and motorcycles to Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar and other countries.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=18809

Bangladesh to export freeze, motorcycle in Malaysia

UNB, DhakaBangladesh will export refrigerators and motorcycles to Malaysia after South Africa and Australia.

"RB Group of Companies Ltd, an electrical, electronics and automobile manufacturing and marketing company in Bangladesh, will export its Walton brand refrigerators and motorcycles to Malaysia," said a press release today issued by the group.

RB Group signed an agreement to this effect with a famous Malaysian company - Agate Group - at its office at Menara Safun Tower in Kuala Lumpur.

In the agreement ceremony, Walton adviser Mizanur Rhaman said, “Walton refrigerators are being exported to South Africa, Australia and some other European countries. Walton now eyes Asean countries for doing good business.”


Under the agreement, the Malaysian company will initially import 100,000 refrigerators and 50,000 motorcycles every year.

Through its marketing channels, Agate Group will sell the imported Walton brand refrigerators and motorcycles to Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar and other countries.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=18809

:banana::banana::banana:

Export target set at $17.59b this fiscal
Siddique Islam

The government has set export target for the current fiscal at US$17.588 billion, marking a 13 per cent growth over that of the previous fiscal, officials said.

The Ministry of Commerce has convened a meeting today (Thursday) to finalise the export target, proposed by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), for fiscal 2009-10 (FY10).

Leaders of trade bodies, exporters and officials concerned will attend the meeting to be presided over by commerce minister Faruk Khan.

The meeting will also fix specific export targets for the Bangladeshi missions abroad in line with their previous performance, they added.

"We've estimated the export target in consultation with all stakeholders," Vice-Chairman of the EPB Shahab Ullah told the FE Wednesday

The EPB is hopeful of achieving the export target for this fiscal, he said.

The EPB, while fixing the country's export target, took the prevailing situation in the regional countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia and India, into consideration particularly that of apparel sector, he added.

The export target has been fixed on the basis of the last four fiscal year's export performance that has increased almost $2.0 billion each year, the EPB officials said.

"We've estimated the target considering the global economic meltdown," an EPB senior official said, adding that exports of both woven garment and knitwear would be increased further this fiscal because of price competitiveness over China.

The export target for readymade garment, officially known as woven garment, has been set at $6.687 billion for the FY10, recording a 13 per cent growth over that of the previous fiscal while knitwear export target has been set at $7.297 billion against $6.429 billion.

The export target for frozen food has been increased to $ $468 million for FY10 from $454.53 million earned in the previous fiscal year, according to the EPB estimation.

In fiscal 2008-09, the country's export earnings stood at $15.565 billion, which was 4.50 per cent lower than the target of $16.298 billion set for the year, the EPB data showed.

Source:http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/09/17/79271.html

^^ Thats a good target.

Amazing, almost $18 bn :)

i wonder what percent will al receive as cut from it

Country ready to export crocodiles by December
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka

An unconventional product is being added to Bangladesh’s export basket very soon as the country’s lone crocodile farm is going to export crocs by December this year.
‘We are very much hopeful of exporting 50 to 60 frozen crocodiles from our farm to Europe by December this year,’ Mushtaq Ahmed, managing director and CEO of Reptile Farm Ltd, told the news agency Wednesday.
He said they are expecting that the maiden export of crocodiles from Bangladesh would fetch $100,000, ushering in a new hope in the croc business in the country.
Mushtaq said the farm, situated at Hatiber under Bhaluka in Mymensingh, has now 825 saltwater crocodiles. Of them, 67 are big size (average length 14 feet) and the rest are small to medium size (9 inches to four and a half feet), he added.
After the end of this year’s breeding season (July-September), he said, 411 baby crocodiles were born at their farm, which was 240 in last year and 140 in 2007.
Narrating his experience in croc business, Mushtaq, a university graduate, said he had tested different professions, including doing a job in the UNHCR, but could not settle anywhere.
‘I had been in search of a profession with somewhat a difference and at last my choice landed in a commercial crocodile farm at Bhaluka, the first such project in the Southeast Asian region,’ he said.

August exports sign
positive growth
Shakhawat Hossain

The country’s monthly exports returned to positive growth in August 2009 after it went down by 6.8 per cent in previous month, said an export promotion bureau official on Thursday.
EPB vice-chairman told New Age that the exporters shipped out products worth $1367.72 million in August, which is higher by 0.71 per cent over the exports during the same month of the corresponding year.
He pointed out that the country faced negative growth in July this year compared to the extraordinary growth in export in July 2008.
The country received single month highest export receipts of $1543.09 in July 2008. It, however, could ship out products worth $1438.18 million in July 2009.
The EPB vice-chairman observed that the country’s export trend was quite satisfactory despite global financial recession, which is yet to over.
Merchandise products of exports grew 10 per cent in the last fiscal year despite global financial recession, which hit the country’s jute, frozen food and leather sectors.
Bangladesh earned $15.56 billion against the export target of $16.29 billion, thanks to readymade garment sector, which accounted almost 80 per cent of the total receipts in 2008-09.
Export of ‘Made in Bangladesh’ readymade garments in the US market grew 7.8 per cent during first half of 2009, which is the highest among South Asian and East Asian nations.
Growth of India, China, Pakistan and Indonesia made RMG export nosedived during the same period in US market that imported RMG worth about $54 billion in 2008 to be single largest export destination earth.
Trade experts lauded the country’s last fiscal export performance as it stood tall amid negative export growth of South and East Asian countries. They attributed cheap labour for such good performance and competitiveness of local RMG products.
The government has fixed exports target at $17.6 billion in the current fiscal year with a moderate growth rate of 13 per cent over the last fiscal year because of slow recovery from the global recession by major economic power houses.
The projected growth rate of the current fiscal year is, however, lowest in last four years. It was always 15 per cent plus in the last four fiscals as the previous lowest growth target of 12.58 per cent was fixed in 2004-05.
The RMG sector will be once again the main growth engine as 79.46 per cent export receipts have been projected to come from the sector. Export from knitwear and women garments is expected to be 41.46 per cent and 38 per cent.
The commerce ministry officials are hopeful about achieving the export target in the current fiscal.
The government has already enhanced rate of cash subsidy against the import jute, leather good and frozen food to tackle the adverse impact of economic meltdown since last year.
It is also planning to enhance the cash incentive for the RMG sector from existing five per cent.
Besides, incentive worth Tk 5,000 crore has been kept aside for the export oriented sectors in the current fiscal year to ace the challenge of any adverse situation out of delayed impact of worst global recession after 1930.
The government provided 5 per cent cash incentive to the RMG exporters. Besides, it kept additional Tk 50 billion in the current fiscal to tackle any delayed and adverse impact of the financial crisis on the country’s main export item.

Source:http://www.newagebd.com/2009/oct/03/busi.html#2

BKMEA urges strong lobbying for South African market


Star Business ReportThe knitwear sector trade body chief in a press briefing yesterday pointed his finger at the absence of strong trade negotiations on the government's part, a setback to raising Bangladesh's capability to tap the $1.2 billion South African apparel market.

“How only two officials can handle normal activities of the Dhaka mission in Johannesburg?” questioned Fazlul Hoque, the president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).

He demanded that the government immediately move to deploy a commercial counsel in Bangladesh mission in the South African capital city so that he or she can work on harnessing business potentials there.

Hoque was sharing his South Africa and Botswana trip experiences as leader of a business delegation with some journalists at the BKMEA office.

Bangladesh apparels account for only 4.3 percent of the South African $1.2 billion annual imports, while it is 70 percent from China, 5.5 percent from Mauritius and 4.7 percent from India, BKMEA chief said.

The value of Bangladesh garments that were exported to South Africa in fiscal year 2008-09 is $43 million.

While lobbying for further trade negotiations, Hoque is upbeat on the 71 percent growth in readymade garment exports to that country last fiscal.

T-shirts, sweaters, cotton trousers, basic shirts and jeans are the most-favoured items in South Africa, he said, pointing to an ample scope for textile fabric exports.

The knit sector leader named some major buying agents such as Woolworth South Africa and Edgars and Truworth.

“The present export trends show prospects for around $500 million apparel exports in the next two years,” Fazlul Hoque said.

South African buyers are now coming to Bangladesh in increased number to place more orders, he added.

Pointing to a 24 percent growth in apparel imports by South Africa on year-on-year basis, he expected at least 14 South African buyers to attend the 5th Knitexpo in Dhaka, due on November 2-4.

In this regard, Hoque identified the 51 percent tariff--40 percent duty and 14 percent value added tax (VAT)as a major problem in apparel exports to South Africa.

However, the director general of South Africa Textile Department, the BKMEA boss says, has assured them of a tariff cut on Bangladesh government's strong lobbying.

The South African key official also asked Bangladeshi businessmen during their stay in that country to prepare a list of apparel products, which the African manufacturers do not produce locally.

Bangladesh has also openings for migration of unskilled, semi-skilled and professional human resources to both South Africa and Botswana, as these countries are carrying out big economic activities, the BKMEA president said.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=109596

^^ BKMEA should also open some trade offices in different countries in the world to tap the markets in those countries. It should not rely on the government to do everything.

Forex Reserve hits 9.5 Billion US Dollars
Current account surplus widens
Rejaul Karim Byron

The current account surplus crossed the $1 billion mark in the first two months of the current fiscal year due to falling import and surging remittance inflows.

Despite global recession, Bangladesh's balance of payments brightened at the start of fiscal 2009-10 thanks to higher remittances sent by migrant workers, said a high official with Bangladesh Bank.

In the July-August period of the current fiscal year, the surplus in current account was $1.3 billion, which was $244 million in the same period a year ago.

The balance of payments was strong last year as well. The current account surplus was $2.5 billion last fiscal year, which put Bangladesh's foreign currency reserves in a healthy state.

The forex reserves were recorded at $9.56 billion yesterday.

Remittance in the first two months increased by 18 percent to $1.82 billion, up from $1.54 billion in the same period of last fiscal year.

Import payments in the first two months fell by 20.69 percent to $2.97 billion. For the first time in Bangladesh since fiscal 2001-02, import payments declined, bucking the usual trend.

Last fiscal year, the growth of import payments fell to 4.1 percent whereas import payments rose by 17.6 percent on average in the last five years.

The latest World Bank economic update released last week identified a number of reasons for the fall in import payments. One of them is the fall in commodity prices on the world market. The second is a decrease in the quantity of some imported goods.

"Import payments and demand decreased in fiscal 09, reflecting falling commodity prices," the WB report said.

The global price of main imports, such as wheat, oil and oil seeds, petroleum, raw cotton and plastics declined by 2 percent to 36 percent, the WB report said.

The prices of rice increased about 20 percent (mainly due to a sharp increase in the first half of FY09), but the overall quantity of rice imports declined by more than 81 percent because of bumper harvest of the boro crop, the report added.

The report also said the price of capital goods and machinery increased by about 33 percent and quantity of imports decreased by 43 percent, yielding a decline in the total import bill.

The price of petroleum declined by about 25 percent, which contributed to a decline in the total oil imports by more than 10 percent.

The rate of growth of imports by export-processing zones in FY09 was less than 1 percent, whereas it was 13.1 percent in FY08.

Exports also decreased but the fall was less compared to the plunge in import. In the first two months the export fell by 3.53 percent to $2.81 billion. As a result, import and export were almost equal.

Trade imbalance narrowed to $166 million in the first two months, down from $840 million in the same period a year ago.

A dark spot in the balance of payments is the sinking foreign direct investment. In the first two months, net FDI fell by 37 percent to $126 million.

After a meeting with a German delegation at the ERD office at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said Bangladesh must increase domestic investment to attract FDI, which is falling in times of global recession. "But things will change soon."

Source:http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=111761

Bangladesh eyes $2.8b export to Germany
December 8, 2009 ·
http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/12/08/news0227.htm

Bangladesh eyes $2.8b export to Germany
BSS, Dhaka

Bangladesh is expected to export traditional and non- traditional items worth US $ 2.8 billion to Germany this year, 0.3 billion US dollar more than the last year.

President of Bangladesh German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BGCCI) M Saiful Islam said the business body envisaged Germany would import goods worth US $ 420 to 450 million during the same period.

The BGCCI president was talking to BSS after the annual general meeting of the organisation here on Monday.

The BGCCI annual general meeting elected Saiful Islam the president, Saria Sadique, senior vice president, Syed Sadaquat Hossain, vice president and Peter Palesh, treasurer, of the body. Besides, eleven executive committee members were also elected at the general meeting.

Newly appointed German Ambassador to Bangladesh Holger Michael was present on the occasion. A good number of tycoons from both the countries were also present.

The BGCCI president said the bilateral trade growth between Bangladesh and German has been increasing yearly as it witnessed 25 percent growth in last financial year.

It is absolutely a good sign for the private sector that the political stability has returned to Bangladesh once again overcoming the social unrest, he said.

Saiful Islam said high-powered business delegations of the developed countries, which of late visited Bangladesh, have put a number of investment inquiries to BGCCI and expressed their satisfaction over the prevailing business climate in Bangladesh.

He said that Bangladesh might have a robust investment growth in a short span if the present infrastructure set up is maintained.

Islam described the private sector as engine of the economic growth and said this sector has to perform as international standard.

Holger Michael, also an economist, said the time has come to take over the investment opportunities. In doing so, he said entrepreneurs both from the public and private sides must perform efficiently.

Good to see exports increasing,esply in these times when imports have declined.

Bangladesh exports rebound on back of garment growth
(AFP) – 8 hours ago

DHAKA — Bangladesh said Tuesday exports leapt over 20 percent in June from a year earlier, an increase credited partly to some companies moving garment orders from China to the low-cost South Asian country.

Bangladesh shipped 1.72 billion dollars of goods in June, the highest monthly export figure in the country's 40-year history, the Export Promotion Bureau said.

"Apparel orders have increased as a lot of buyers are finding China too costly to produce low-cost products," said Shahab Ullah, who headed the government-run EPB till last week and is now a planning commission member.

"Even Chinese investors have come here to relocate their garment factories," Ullah told AFP.

Apparel exports, which made up 80 percent of total shipments last year, were hit hard by the global recession, with year-on-year declines in double digits during the first six months of Bangladesh's financial year, which starts July.

Garment manufacturers made up for their losses since March, and overall, the industry earned 12.6 billion dollars to finish the financial year in positive territory.

"The last few months have been very good for us. We have received big orders from global retailers," said Faruque Hassan, acting head of the Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

Hassan said apparel exports could grow more than 15 percent this year, as "China is getting increasingly pricey while Bangladesh is offering higher quality products at the most competitive rates."

A resurgence of the country's traditional jute fibre -- also known as hessian or burlap -- industry has also helped, with exports of the eco-friendly fibre growing 76.43 percent this fiscal year to a record 736 million dollars.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j8ETTN_XXkzvTdbsJ0fqh5Ap33Aw

Bangladesh ranks 4th largest clothing exporter in world
July 22, 2010

Bangladesh has been ranked as the fourth largest exporter of clothing with a 3 percent share of the global market by the world body World Trade Organization (WTO), Vice-president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Faruque Hassan said on Wednesday.

Hassan made the remarks while speaking to the members of Overseas Correspondents of Bangladesh (OCAB at the office of BGMEA.

Hassan said the ready-made garment industry in Bangladesh, with 30 years of experience, has turned into sourcing hub in the global market and demonstrated a spectacular growth in export over the past two decades.

He said Bangladesh is the largest exporter of cotton T-shirts and second largest exporter of cotton pullover and jeans for the European Union and the second largest exporter of cotton trousers to the United States by volume.

The BGMEA vice-president said although the low cost production of clothing is still an important competitive edge for Bangladesh, the increasing competition in the global apparel market has caused manufacturers to produce quality products, increase the commitment with buyers and social responsibility in factories, which have made Bangladesh a reliable option in the global supply of clothing.
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/7077466.html

Local demand for fancy glass curbs exports

Sajjadur RahmanA recent building boom has forced modern window-glass manufacturers to cut exports, market players said.

A surge in construction, which was almost stalled during the army-backed caretaker government in 2007-08, is behind the local demand for “float glass.” (The term refers to sheets of glass made by floating molten glass on a bed of molten metal, typically tin.)

“We have reduced our export by nearly 1,000 tonnes per month due to meet the growing demand in the domestic market,” said Nasiruddin Biswas, chairman of Nasir Group, which owns Nasir Glass Industries, a local pioneer in float glass.

Nasir Glass now exports 1,500 tonnes a month, off 1,000 tonnes from earlier levels. On the other hand local market consumption increased nearly 1,000 tonnes a month to 3,500 tonnes.

“Construction works have got its momentum after a gap of nearly three years,” said Biswas.

The other premier float glass-manufacturer, PHP, also saw a jump in domestic demand. PHP produces 3,500 to 4,000 tonnes of float glass a month.

“Now 100 percent of our production is being sold,” said Mizanur Rahman, head of marketing of PHP Float Glass Industries. “But it was maximum 70 percent a few months ago.”

Rahman attributed the good sales on construction, increases in wood prices and consumer appreciation of natural daytime light through the panes.

The use of float glass in buildings is relatively new in Bangladesh. Before Nasir and PHP entered into the market -- in 2005 and 2006, respectively -- it was imported in small quantities.

The glass market is now nearly Tk 1,000 crore, up from Tk 600 crore a couple of years ago. Two established glass-sheet factories -- Usmania Glass and MEB Glass -- made a cheaper glass used in more affordable structures, according to market players.

Silica and gas, the primary needs of makers of float glass, are available in Bangladesh. Secondary raw materials (dolomite, feldspar and limestone) are imported from neighbouring Bhutan, Nepal and India.

Biswas of Nasir Group said float glass is non-combustible, easy to clean, prevents harmful ultraviolet-ray penetration, reduces the solar heat entering into the building and is cheaper than wooden panel: “Yet, it is aesthetically much more elegant,” he said.

Source:http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=150278

EPB plans $18.7 billion
exports in 2010-11
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka


Despite failing to achieve expected export earnings in the last fiscal, the Export Promotion Bureau has proposed a $18.7 billion target for exports in the current fiscal, which would be a nearly 15 per cent increase over last year’s actual earnings.
Export earnings for the 2009-10 fiscal was $16.2 billion against a target of $17.6 billion. That represented a 4 per cent increase over the 2008-09 fiscal, even though it fell around 8 per cent short of the target.
Economists say exports, especially the export of knitwear and woven garments could not reach the target in the last fiscal due to the effect of the global economic meltdown, labour unrest in the RMG sector, and the crippling energy and power crisis.
A 10 per cent increase in earnings for the highest export earning RMG sector (combining knitwear and woven garments) has been proposed, even though it too could not achieve its target in fiscal 2009-10, said an EPB high official.
The target for knitwear has been proposed at $7.3 billion, which would be a 13 per cent increase on last year’s performance ($6.4 billion) while the target for the woven garments sector has been proposed at $6.7 billion, around $700 million more than it earned last year.
An export earnings target for home textiles has been proposed at $593 million. The sector earned almost $540 million in the last fiscal.
Inspired perhaps by an eye catching performance in the last fiscal, as well as recent breakthroughs in R&D, the EPB wants jute and jute manufactured goods to bring in over
$1 billion for the first
time this year, which would be a massive 38 per cent increase against last
year’s performance of $736 million.
The export target for raw jute has been proposed at $255 million, jute yarn and twine at $577 million, jute carpet around $10 million, and jute and synthetic ropes $20 million.
The export earnings target for frozen food was proposed at $482 million. That comprises a target of $96 million for frozen fish and $376 million for shrimps, with the rest made up by other frozen food products.
The EPB wants the country to sell agriculture products worth $266 million in the current fiscal, which would add a tenth to its sales last year, $242 million.
Among the manufactured commodities, the export earnings target for petroleum by-products has been proposed at $450 million, chemical products $111 million, and plastic products $54 million. The export target for leather has been proposed at almost $294 million, which would be a hefty 30 per cent improvement over the last fiscal year’s performance, which earned the country $226 million.
Cotton and cotton fabrics will be expected to add nearly $103 million while in the case of specialized textiles the target has been proposed at $228 million, up more than 22.67 per cent over last year’s earnings of $186 million.


Source:http://www.newagebd.com/2010/aug/16/busi.html

EPB plans $18.7 billion
exports in 2010-11
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka


Despite failing to achieve expected export earnings in the last fiscal, the Export Promotion Bureau has proposed a $18.7 billion target for exports in the current fiscal, which would be a nearly 15 per cent increase over last year’s actual earnings.
Export earnings for the 2009-10 fiscal was $16.2 billion against a target of $17.6 billion. That represented a 4 per cent increase over the 2008-09 fiscal, even though it fell around 8 per cent short of the target.
Economists say exports, especially the export of knitwear and woven garments could not reach the target in the last fiscal due to the effect of the global economic meltdown, labour unrest in the RMG sector, and the crippling energy and power crisis.
A 10 per cent increase in earnings for the highest export earning RMG sector (combining knitwear and woven garments) has been proposed, even though it too could not achieve its target in fiscal 2009-10, said an EPB high official.
The target for knitwear has been proposed at $7.3 billion, which would be a 13 per cent increase on last year’s performance ($6.4 billion) while the target for the woven garments sector has been proposed at $6.7 billion, around $700 million more than it earned last year.
An export earnings target for home textiles has been proposed at $593 million. The sector earned almost $540 million in the last fiscal.
Inspired perhaps by an eye catching performance in the last fiscal, as well as recent breakthroughs in R&D, the EPB wants jute and jute manufactured goods to bring in over
$1 billion for the first
time this year, which would be a massive 38 per cent increase against last
year’s performance of $736 million.
The export target for raw jute has been proposed at $255 million, jute yarn and twine at $577 million, jute carpet around $10 million, and jute and synthetic ropes $20 million.
The export earnings target for frozen food was proposed at $482 million. That comprises a target of $96 million for frozen fish and $376 million for shrimps, with the rest made up by other frozen food products.
The EPB wants the country to sell agriculture products worth $266 million in the current fiscal, which would add a tenth to its sales last year, $242 million.
Among the manufactured commodities, the export earnings target for petroleum by-products has been proposed at $450 million, chemical products $111 million, and plastic products $54 million. The export target for leather has been proposed at almost $294 million, which would be a hefty 30 per cent improvement over the last fiscal year’s performance, which earned the country $226 million.
Cotton and cotton fabrics will be expected to add nearly $103 million while in the case of specialized textiles the target has been proposed at $228 million, up more than 22.67 per cent over last year’s earnings of $186 million.


Source:http://www.newagebd.com/2010/aug/16/busi.html

The very problem with the xport-oriented growth model.

Our export amount already crossed Pakistan's ...... Pakistan's export is at $17 bn while their import is around $28 bn , Alhamdulillah, we r doing good :)

Our export amount already crossed Pakistan's ...... Pakistan's export is at $17 bn while their import is around $28 bn , Alhamdulillah, we r doing good :)

Actually our export is 16.4 billion while our import is slightly less than 24 billlion.In addition,we earn about 11 billion worth of remittance.

So we are still 600 million short of Pakistan's exports but have a much bigger surplus.Meaing the biggest surplus in South Asia after India:cheers:

Current export items from Bangladesh:

1. Tea
2. Handicrafts
3. Leather & Leather goods
4. Jute & Jute goods
5. Ready-made garments (woven & knit)

I'm in export of PET Bottle flakes from Bangladesh to P.R.China. This is basically retrieving waste mineral-water & beverage bottles from Post-industrial and post-consumer sources. We cut these bottles, wash, dry and pack in pp-woven bags having 25kg net weight. In China, the factory in China melts these flakes to produce PSF (polyester staple fibre) which are then made into PSY (polyester spun yarn) or used as stuffing materials.

There are two types of processing. Cold and Hot wash. In Bangladesh there are about 50 cold-washing plants. We have only two hot-washing plants and these are also not running due to poor availability of electricity from the government sources.

Therefore, if you come here to invest in recycling business then there is good chance if you go for fully automatic plant having own electricity generating units to avoid government supplied power that is very erratic and causes most of the downtime.

Our exporters association is trying to lift the government's embargo to import pressed-baled pet-bottles from EU and middle-eastern countries, that will enable us to get more raw-materials to increase our volume of export.








video game accessories (http://www.chinabuye.com/video-games)-NDS Accessories (http://www.chinabuye.com/video-games/nds-accessories)

^^ That sounds pretty good! Thanks for the info!

Bangladesh exports soar: industry
(AFP) – 9 hours ago

DHAKA — Bangladesh said Wednesday exports leapt more than 25 percent year on year in July, with manufacturers linking the jump to a shift in orders from China to the low-cost South Asian country.

In July, the first month of its financial year, Bangladesh shipped 1.82 billion dollars of goods -- the highest export figure in the country's 40-year history, the Export Promotion Bureau said.

This was due to a sharp rise in apparel exports as firms chose to buy from Bangladesh instead of China in a bid to keep costs down, Jalal Ahmed, the head of the EPB, told AFP.

"Our textile exporters are receiving more orders from new markets which previously would source products in China," he said.

EPB figures showed shipments to new markets such as Turkey, Japan, South Africa and China grew 200 percent, although Western Europe and the United States still account for nearly 90 percent of Bangladesh's export market.

Apparel exports rose nearly 30 percent year-on-year, with overall shipments up 25.5 percent, Ahmed said, adding that exports of eco-friendly jute -- known as hessian in Europe or burlap in the United States -- have also surged.

The figures come as Beijing has been forced to increase minimum wages over the past few months following several protests and raising concerns in China that foreign firms may look elsewhere for cheaper labour.

Abdus Salam Murshedy, the head of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said that despite the strong figures, a chronic utilities crisis and shoddy infrastructure was hindering export growth.

"We are ready to grab new opportunities as China becomes increasingly costly. These July export figures are good, but we can do far better," he said.

The government must improve power and gas supplies and find a way to make the country's main port in southern Chittagong town, more efficient, he added.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iQZUlpaGn1puIOdEdbRNm7sq7ocA

Bangladesh exports soar: industry
(AFP) – 9 hours ago

DHAKA — Bangladesh said Wednesday exports leapt more than 25 percent year on year in July, with manufacturers linking the jump to a shift in orders from China to the low-cost South Asian country.

In July, the first month of its financial year, Bangladesh shipped 1.82 billion dollars of goods -- the highest export figure in the country's 40-year history, the Export Promotion Bureau said.

This was due to a sharp rise in apparel exports as firms chose to buy from Bangladesh instead of China in a bid to keep costs down, Jalal Ahmed, the head of the EPB, told AFP.

"Our textile exporters are receiving more orders from new markets which previously would source products in China," he said.

EPB figures showed shipments to new markets such as Turkey, Japan, South Africa and China grew 200 percent, although Western Europe and the United States still account for nearly 90 percent of Bangladesh's export market.

Apparel exports rose nearly 30 percent year-on-year, with overall shipments up 25.5 percent, Ahmed said, adding that exports of eco-friendly jute -- known as hessian in Europe or burlap in the United States -- have also surged.

The figures come as Beijing has been forced to increase minimum wages over the past few months following several protests and raising concerns in China that foreign firms may look elsewhere for cheaper labour.

Abdus Salam Murshedy, the head of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said that despite the strong figures, a chronic utilities crisis and shoddy infrastructure was hindering export growth.

"We are ready to grab new opportunities as China becomes increasingly costly. These July export figures are good, but we can do far better," he said.

The government must improve power and gas supplies and find a way to make the country's main port in southern Chittagong town, more efficient, he added.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iQZUlpaGn1puIOdEdbRNm7sq7ocA

i am loving this :banana: we just need a good political leader and we're good to go...=D

^^
just imagine, every month the export is at $1.82 bn, in 12 months it would be $21.8 bn :)

Alright,seems like we are on track to achieve exports of 21 billion this year!:cheers:


August exports post 31pc growth
Special Correspondent

The country’s export shipments saw more than 31 per cent growth in the second month of the current fiscal year, making two months’ growth at 28 per cent on an average.
Export Promotion Bureau officials said export earnings amounted $3.615 billion in July-August 2010, up 16 per cent of target and against $2.8 billion in the same period of 2009.
The first two months of 2009-10 fiscal year recorded a minus 3.3 per cent growth as a tail impact of recession in the western markets had hit Bangladesh’s readymade garment exporters hard.
Report of the Export Promotion Bureau, released on Thrusday, showed shipments of readymade garments, that fetch three-fourth of the country’s export proceeds, grew 31 per cent on an average in July-August.
Exports of knitwear amounted $1,589 million, growing 32 per cent year-on-year, while shipments of woven or cut-and-sew garments amounted $1,317 million with 30 per cent growth.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Abdus Salam Murshedy said high growth in garment export earnings is being achieved as local exporters had executed orders with minimum or no profits.
Business became tough with loss of production due to gas and power shortage and congestion in port. But Bangladeshi exporters struggled hard and kept up theirs exports.
Industry insiders say at present there are many scopes to make export growth much higher as western importers are facing problems in low cost procurement from China, and buyers from some new markets like Turkey and Japan increased their procurements from Bangladesh.
Anwar Ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, chairman of a leading textiles exporter, the Evince Group of Industries, said a seasonal increased on sweater exports contributed to high growth in garment export.
He however cautioned that exports growth might become smaller in December and onward as implementation of increased wages would put exporters in difficulty to settle deals with importers, who are becoming more and more price conscious.
‘If implementation of increased wages makes problems in some factories, importers’ will lose confidence on the country’s RMG industry,’ he warned.
Continued high growth in the shipments of some significant export items including raw jute, jute goods, home textiles, terry towels, finished leather and footwear, bicycle also contributed to the encouraging growth in July-August.
However, export of tea, fertilizers, drugs and engineering products saw minus growths in the period.


http://www.newagebd.com/2010/sep/24/busi.html

Bangladesh's Aug exports jump 31 pct on garments
DHAKA, Sept 23 - Bangladesh's exports in August surged 31.25 percent to $1.79 billion from a year earlier, led by strong demand for the country's readymade garments, data showed on Thursday.

In the fiscal year that ended in June, exports rose 4.11 percent to $16.2 billion as the global economy gradually recovered, although that was still 7.9 percent below the government's target amount.

Sales in July rose 26.5 percent to $1.82 billion, the impoverished south Asian country's highest ever.

Earning from knit textiles in July-August, the first two months of the current fiscal year, rose 32 percent to nearly $1.6 billion from the previous year, while woven garments rose 30 percent to $1.3 billion, the Export Promotion Bureau said.

Orders for clothes, which account for 80 percent of Bangladesh's overseas sales, are growing from its key markets the United States and Europe.

Traders and officials said the garment sector had seen a steady recovery since January, along with the recovery in the global economy.

Bangladesh is fast becoming part of the global supply chain for low-end textiles and clothing because of its cheap labour costs.

In late July, the government nearly doubled the minimum monthly wage for millions of workers in the garment industry to 3,000 taka , which will take effect in November, but wages are still low compared with rivals such as China, India, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia.

Bangladesh makes garments for international brands such JC Penney <JCP.N>, Wal-Mart <WMT.N>, H&M <HMb.ST>, Kohl's <KSS.N>, Marks & Spencer <MKS.L> and Carrefour <CARR.PA>.

Meanwhile, the government has increased the amount of credits available, cut tax and offered cash incentives to explore new markets to garments exporters. [ID:nSGE68D0D4

The government expects exports to climb 14 percent this fiscal year to $18.5 billion, with targets of $7 billion from knitwear and $6.6 billion from woven garments.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20100923/tbs-bangladesh-economy-exports-7318940.html

Country's EPZ ranks 4th in best economic potential in global ranking


DHAKA, Oct 1 (BSS) - An Export Processing Zone (EPZ) of Bangladesh ranked fourth as best economic potential in the global ranking and third in the best cost- competitiveness category,

The reputed UK-based "Foreign Direct Investment" magazine (FDI) magazine carried out a survey among the world's 700 economic zones this year and ranked Bangladesh's Chittagong Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) 4th and 3rd in positions.

"FDI has recognized our efforts in only one-and-a-half years of the present government," executive chairman of Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) Brig Gen Jamil Ahmed Khan told BSS commenting on the success.

Jamil Ahmed described the BEPZA's recognition as one of the major successes and said right directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, cooperation of the government had contributed a lot to attain the success.

This success has clearly manifested that an investment- friendly atmosphere is now prevailing in the country, he said and hoped that this would help encourage more FDI in Bangladesh.

Brig Gen Jamil Ahmed said BEPZA has come a long way in the last 27 years since its inception by increasing the volume of investment, diversification of exports, creation of employment opportunities and strengthening of the economic base of Bangladesh.

About workers' welfare, BEPZA executive chairman said the existing industrial relations act has been revised for EPZ workers welfare. EPZ Workers are now can go for direct Workers Association (WA) which was not possible in the past.

The country has total eight EPZs and the actual investment of the EPZs stood at 221.99 million US dollar in 2009-10 financial year, which is 49.96 percent higher growth rate than the same period of the 2008-09 fiscal. The actual investment was US$148.03m during the 2008-09 financial year.

Besides, exports from EPZ registered at 2822.54 million US dollar which registered a rise by 9.33 percent higher than previous year.

As many as 2.69 people are directly and over five lakh indirectly engaged in 352 industrial units in all the EPZs, which contributes 18 percent to the national export, BEPZA sources said.

source:http://bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=134866&date=2010-10-01

We exceeded the export target for the first 3 months by half a billion USD,lets hope we can keep exceeding our targets from here....:cheers:



Sept export posts 33.47pc rise
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka


The country’s exports in September this year maintained a sharp growth as it registered a 33.47 per cent rise to earn $1,415.12 million, which is around $55.37 million more than the target for the month.
The export earnings for September 2009 were $1,060.22 million, according to the Export Promotion Bureau.
With healthy performance from the major export-earning knit and woven garment sectors, the overall export income for the first three months (July-September) of the current fiscal (2010-11) witnessed a 29.98 per cent rise compared to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.
The overall export earnings for the current fiscal (July-September) stood at $5,029.05 million, exceeding the strategic target of $4,477.00 million. Export earnings for the July-September period of the previous fiscal totalled $3,869.10 million.
According to EPB statistics for September this year, knitwear export fetched $2,181.28 million, registering a 31.91 per cent growth over the same month last year while export earnings for woven garments totalled $1,790.24 million, marking a rise of 30 per cent.
The export of home textiles totalled $125.22 million while that of footwear amounted to $76.98 million.
The export of primary commodities fetched $236.89 million, frozen foods including frozen fish, shrimps and others $142.60 million, and agricultural products $94.29 million.
Tea export, however, faced a setback during the month as it accounted for only $0.37 million, far behind the strategic target of $1.45 million.
The export trend for petroleum by-products and chemical products were also in the negative, accounting for just $66.54 million and $28.56 million respectively.
On the other hand, the export trend for cotton and cotton products, and leather and leather products were on the rise. Leather export totalled $64.39 million, leather products $12.67 million while cotton and cotton products together earned $29.04 million.
The export of rejuvenated jute and jute-made goods totalled $209.51 million with 33.95 per cent rise. Raw jute exports fetched $55.21 million, jute yarn and twine earned $101.55 million, jute sacks and bags $42.11 million, and others $10.64 million.
Specialised textiles including terry towel, special woven fabric and knitted fabrics grew by 10.86 per cent, earning $45.93 million.
The engineering products including iron and steel, bicycle and electronic products fetched $71 million, while plastic products $13.87 million.
However, export of man-made filaments and staple fibres totalled $19.90 million, cap $12.12 million, computer services $2.47 million (July) and other manufactured products $13.80 million.


Source:http://www.newagebd.com/2010/oct/15/busi.html

More buyers shift to Bangladesh
Refayet Ullah Mirdha

Opportunities are widening as globally renowned apparel brands look to source more garments from Bangladesh amid the widening recovery from financial crisis.

Some buyers have already shifted to Bangladesh from competing countries, while others are increasing order quantities.

Prices of garments in China, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Vietnam have gone up due to higher production costs. Bangladesh has also diversified its product range and marketing over the last few years.

Apparel exports grew by more than 30 percent in the first quarter (July-September) of the current fiscal year, riding on high demand for competitively priced items.

Export Promotion Bureau data shows knit products worth $2.18 billion and woven worth $1.79 billion were exported during the time -- 32 percent and 30 percent more than a year earlier.

Top German brands Hugo Boss and Adidas are in talks with local apparel-maker Viyellatex Group to buy direct for the first time, in 2011.

Michael Otto, chairman of Otto Gmbh and Co KG, said in an interview that the German retail chain is investing 20 million euros (Tk 197 crore) in Dhaka to run a social business that produces garments.

German lifestyle brand s.Oliver moved to a new, bigger Dhaka office last month to strengthen sourcing.

Retail giants including Wal-Mart, JC Penny, Zara, Tesco, IKEA, Marks and Spencer, H and M, G-Star Raw, Uniqlo and Li & Fung have also increased quantities purchased from Bangladesh.

Spanish retail chain Inditex Group, which manages eight brands (Zara, Pull and Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho, Zara Home and Uterqüe), also plans to expand sourcing.

Apparel exports to Japan, a newer market, started picking up after 2008, when Tokyo announced the China+1 strategyto shift sourcing focussed on China to other nations, such as Bangladesh.

Fast Retailing Company Ltd, which owns Japan's casual-clothing chain Uniqlo, signed a $100,000 deal with Grameen Bank Group on July 13 to produce garments at the group's factories. Uniqlo opened a liaison office in Dhaka in 2008.

Other Japanese companies, including Maruhisa, Yokohama Tape, TM Textiles, NI Teijin, CHORI, FVG and Onward Holdings Co, also began doing business in Bangladesh.

Apparel exports have grown to South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Australia.

"It'll not be difficult to double export earnings from apparels as international buyers are coming at such a higher rate," said Abdus Salam Murshedy, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

But success hinges on a smooth supply of gas and power to the factories and relieving congestion at the Chittagong Port, he said.

Mohammad Hatem, vice-president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said apparel-makers have the capacity to cater to additional orders, but the power crisis, and high cotton prices hold them back.

Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said the sector has shown resilience in the face of global recession.

"While some effect of the recession was felt belatedly in early 2010, the industry seems to have emerged from it even stronger and more competitive in the global market," he said.

"In fact, the main reason why Bangladesh's garment export has been able to withstand the recession is its ability to capture higher shares of the US and European Union markets at a time when the total volume of garment trade has contracted."

"The future looks even more promising, as China may increasingly lose its competitive edge in garment export due to its rising wage costs and a possible revaluation of its currency," said Mahmud, a former caretaker government adviser.

"Among our garment entrepreneurs, those who are smart enough may now be able to exercise some bargaining power in price negotiations as well," he added. “True, Bangladesh is known as a low-cost supplier of garments. But the low average unit price of exported garment is mainly due to the kind of basic apparel items that we export. For similar kinds of items, our exports fetch similar or sometimes even higher prices compared to those from, say, Vietnam or Pakistan.

"Yet our garment industry faces formidable challenges. Its competitiveness is mainly derived from low wages, which also remains a potential source of labour unrest, even with newly announced minimum wage rates. There are large variations across the garment factories in productivity and managerial efficiency. Improved productivity needs to be translated into better labour conditions. To stay competitive while maintaining sound labour relations will require a restructuring of the industry. That process will not be painless,” the economist said.

If the country wants to move up the value chain in global trade, a skilled labour force and better management are required. "That will also make it possible to raise wage rates as labour productivity increases," he said.

The more immediate challenges are improving the efficiency of Chittagong Port and ensuring energy supplies, he added.

Source:http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=163133

Export earnings rise by
37pc in July-October
Kazi Azizul Islam

Export earnings in the last month made an astounding leap of 65 per cent from that of October 2009 as exporters sent more consignments to foreign destinations while an increased cost of raw materials compelled importers to pay more.
The country’s export earnings in October 2010 amounted to $1,688 million, announced the Export Promotion Bureau on Monday.
With this, the export proceeds in the first four months of the current fiscal year amounted to $6.72 billion, posting a 37 per cent growth over that in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.
According to the EPB report, readymade garments accounted for 78 per cent, or $5.24 billion, of the total export earnings during the period, achieving a 39 per cent year-on-year growth. Export of home textiles fetched $176 million, tarry towels $47 million and non-apparel textiles more than $324 million or nearly 5 per cent of the total export proceeds in the July-October period.
In the apparel segment, knitwear export proceeds in the four months amounted to around $2.89 billion, rising by 38 per cent year on year. The earnings from woven or cut and sewn garment export in the period came to $2.34 billion, posting a 39.5 per cent year-on-year rise.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers’ and Exporters’ Association president Abdus Salam Murshedy said garment exporters had to struggle hard to achieve such a tremendous growth.
He said, although there were plenty of opportunities on the global market for expanding the country’s export volume, manufacturers here were deterred from taking advantage of the situation by gas and energy crisis, shortage of skilled manpower, and slothful port services.
‘Buyers across the globe have much confidence in Bangladeshi suppliers. So, if the infrastructure can be strengthened, exporters will be able to continue with sustaining such a high growth rate, may be even more,’ he observed.
Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, chairman of Evince, a leading fabric and garment manufacturing group, said the earnings from garment exports increased so much as a sharp rise in the cost of raw materials pushed the price level up.
Parvez attributed the stiff price hike of cotton-based knitwear and denim wear, the two prime export goods, to the more than 50 per cent rise in cotton and yarn prices over the past few months.
Earnings from most of the non-garment export items also increased significantly in the period, the EPB report shows.
The proceeds from frozen shrimp and fish exports in July-October amounted to $208 million, posting a 38 per cent year-on-year growth, that from raw jute exports amounted to $98 million, up by 47 per cent, jute goods and jute yarns $156 million, up by 56 per cent, and jute products $61 million, posting a 16 per cent growth. Export earnings from finished leather advanced by 42 per cent year on year to $86 million and footwear by 51 per cent to $98 million.
The export earning from bicycles in the four months however posted a 4 per cent negative growth year on year, amounting to $35 million, and
furniture a 5 per cent negative growth, amounting to $5 million.
Exports of agricultural products, including fresh vegetables, foliages, fruits, spices, and dry foods brought in $120 million, making a 38 per cent average growth but, in this category, the earning from tea exports declined to $0.6 million, showing a 66 per cent negative growth.

Source:http://www.newagebd.com/2010/nov/23/busi.html

EXPORTS KEEP RISING


Exports surge 36pc July-Nov
Star Business Report


Export earnings crossed the $8.27 billion mark in the July-November period, registering nearly 36 percent growth over the same period a year earlier, according to the latest Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data.

Exports of the country's main foreign-exchange earner, knitwear, grew nearly 37 percent, to $3.53 billion, while woven exports grew nearly 36 percent, to $2.88 billion, from a year ago.
The exports of vessels grew by whopping 731 percent, to $6.98 million, during the period compared with the same period a last year.

In November alone, exports grew nearly 30 percent, to $1.55 billion, compared with the same month a year earlier, the data said.

Salim Osman, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said apparel exports increased mainly because of the shift of international buyers to Bangladesh from China, the world's largest apparel supplier.

"China is losing its competitiveness for higher costs of production," Osman said. "We will grow more when the doors in some new destinations, like South Africa, will widen further."

Osman said recent demand for jeans and denim products and for T-shirts has soared because China is losing market to Bangladesh.Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said value of apparel exports is also increasing due to the per unit higher prices of raw materials.

Echoing Osman, the former chief of BGMEA also said China is losing business to Bangladesh due to its higher costs of production and shortages of workers in the garment factories.

"Such higher growth will continue for a long time," he said. "We have to increase our both capacity and efficiency for sustainability of the export.

"We have a bright future. We need to address infrastructure and energy problems as soon as possible, and increase the efficiency of ports."

Source:http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=164917

Bangladesh: the next export powerhouse?
Bangladesh can become an export powerhouse, after China, as its labour-intensive export sector is growing by 30 per cent a year driven by booming manufacturing and agricultural activities.

To realise the opportunity, the government must remove infrastructure bottlenecks, cut import costs of raw materials for exporters and use the underemployed labour.

"Bangladesh has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually achieve 9 per cent growth by taking more markets and transform its economy," said Emeritus Professor of Boston University Gustav F Papanek at a discussion on Tuesday.

"If it acts, Bangladesh can create three million jobs a year rather than less than one million, double its national income in eight years and largely eliminate poverty," added Papanek, also president of Boston Institute for Developing Economics.

But he warned: "If Bangladesh fails to act in the next one year to two, it will miss the boat. Others will take the markets China is being forced to abandon."

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) organised the discussion at Sonargaon Hotel as part of a daylong conference to lay out vision strategies for growth of Bangladesh economy by 2030.

Papanek's prediction comes at a time when Bangladesh looks to jump to the status of a middle-income country banking on more than 5 per cent expansion of its economy a year.

He said Bangladesh needs to quickly eliminate bottlenecks in infrastructure and reduce corruption.

Former adviser to a caretaker government Hossain Zillur Rahman said the risks are there. "One of them is miss the bus syndrome." Other risks include political instability, corruption and stagnant investment, he said.

Centre for Policy Dialogue Executive Director Mustafizur Rahman said Bangladesh has to ensure good governance and participatory democracy for inclusive growth. http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/news.php?id=15983&sec=2

Its a joy to be reading such exciting news right at the beginning of a new year...........



'RMG export to exceed $15billion target'
Fri, Dec 31st
Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

Dhaka, Dec 31 (bdnews24.com) - India is likely to be the third largest readymade garment export destination if Bangladesh gets duty-free access to the neighbouring country.

"The Indian domestic market is as big as $28 billion as it has a 450-million middle class and the demand is growing like anything," BGMEA president Salam Murshedy told the bdnews24.com on Friday.

The European Union and the US are the first and second biggest destinations for Bangladesh's RMG export.

"Indian RMG industry is unlikely to cope with the growing demand and Bangladesh is the only neighbour where it can outsource work," Murshedy said.

All the major brands in the world have opened up their outlets in India and it will be a big opportunity for Bangladesh to grab the opportunity, he added.

The BGMEA president hopes that there would be an announcement about the duty-free access during the visit of Indian prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh to Bangladesh next year.

"Commerce minister M Faruk Khan visited New Delhi in October and he got an assurance from his Indian counterpart that Bangladesh would get the duty-free access," he said.

Murshedy said Bangladesh has now become a 'manufacturing market' rather than a 'buyers' market' as it is more competitive compared to its competitors. "Once buyers dominated the manufacturers, but now the situation has changed."
The business leader said if the government could ensure gas and power supply, and smooth operation of port, the export will jump to $25 billion in three years' time.

"At present, 25 percent of the capacity remains unutilised due to utility problems and we're facing labour shortage problem too. If the government helps the BGMEA to train workers, it has the ability to train 0.8 to 1.0 million people within a short period of time," he added.

Bangladesh is now at the crossroads of huge opportunity due to single-country derogation facility provided by the EU and export potentials to new market, he said.

The European Union has announced relaxed GSP facility for the Bangladesh RMG products with effect from January 1, 2011. "Export to new markets, including Japan, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Chili and Turkey, has increased manifold," he said.

Japan, Australia and New Zealand provide duty-free access to RMG products from Bangladesh.

"The global recession has been a blessing in the disguise as it helped the local manufacturers explore new markets around the world," Salam said.

"Now we're getting some benefits as prices are increasing for the RMG products," he said adding, "The production cost has increased and so are the prices."

If the trend continues, the earnings from RMG export will exceed the target of $15 billion this fiscal.
During the first four months of the current fiscal, the country earned over $6 billion from the sector.

bdnews24.com/ssz/mr/2100h

Source:http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=183134&cid=2

:banana::banana::banana:
Exports fetch $10.3b in first half of FY10
$2b export proceeds in Dec set all-time record
Kazi Azizul Islam

Export earnings in December amounted to $1.99 billion, the highest ever in the country’s foreign trade history,thanks mainly to a robust rise in readymade garment shipments.
With that the country’s export proceeds in the first half of the current fiscal year posted a 41 per cent year-on-year rise to $10.3 billion.
The export earning growth in FY2009-10 plunged to minus 6.2 per cent due to a drastic fall in RMG exports triggered by the global financial meltdown. Apparel exports account for nearly four-fifths of the country’s export revenue.
Industry analysts said the high growth rate of export earnings was generated mainly by a rapid increase in sourcing of Bangladeshi readymade garments by western importers.
The increased cost of raw materials, including cotton, yarns, and fabrics, in the previous months also raised the cost of products that inflated the shipment price.
‘The highly enhanced demand for Bangladeshi readymade garments as well as textile and other products from global importers have been pushing up the export volume and this uptrend is set to be continued,’ said Export Promotion Bureau vice-chairman Jalal Ahmed.
Now, both industry and the government should concentrate on smooth financing of imports required for meeting the supply orders coming from global importers, said the chief executive officer of the bureau responsible for facilitating export industries.
Jalal predicted a further rise in number of orders for supplying the country’s garments and other merchandises as importers of the European Union, the largest export market of Bangladesh, are happy with the simplified rules of origin coming into effect from January 1.
According to the new rules of origin, all categories of Bangladeshi garments, including those manufactured with imported fabrics, will have no value-addition ceiling and enjoy a zero-duty market access.
Hundreds of non-textile and other kinds of products have the potential of enjoying the zero-duty market access, if only 30 per cent value can be added to them here before shipping them abroad.
Former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers’ and Exporters’ Association Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez also said that the new and simplified GSP regime of the EU was set to bring in more business for Bangladeshi exporters.
He admitted that garment exporters had already been having good business for the past several months due to rising demand from the post-recession US and EU markets and as many importers had been diverting their sourcing from China to Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Indonesia.He said, ‘The government should work vigorously for developing the industrial infrastructure, because local entrepreneurs have the drive to increase the present export growth rate by many times. An optimal utilization of the new market opportunities will also create several millions of employment opportunities.’
A sharp rise in shipment of garments to new markets like Japan, South Africa, and Korea has also contributed to the robust rise in exports, Anwar-Ul-Alam added.
According to EPB figures, in July-December 2010 earnings from knitwear exports had increased by 43 per cent year on year to $4.31 billion while that of woven or cut-and-sewn garment exports rose by 41 per cent to $3.64 billion.
The EPB report shows that the year-on-year earnings from raw jute and jute goods exports advanced by 53 per cent to $549 million, home textiles by 78 per cent to $296 million, frozen shrimp by 58 per cent to $266 million, finished leather by 31 per cent to $129 million, and footwear by 49 per cent to $129 million.

The proceeds from exporting tea and bi-cycle however suffered a year-on-year decline, although those amounts are too small to make any significant impact on the overall export growth rate.

Source:http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/business/4008.html

^^
wow thats some good news indeed, I'm hoping by end of the FY 2010-2011, we can achieve atleast $20 bn export.

Exports rise by 35pc in Jan
Special Correspondent


The country’s exports in January rose 34 per cent to US$ 1.921 billion from the figures of same month of last year, the Export Promotion Bureau said on Tuesday.

With January’s figure, the total export proceeds for the seven months of the current year totaled $ 12.184 billion, growing 40 per cent over the same period of last year.
All major exports including readymade garments, frozen foods, home textiles, leather and footwear saw growth over the target, but few items including bicycles and pharmaceuticals had negative growths.

‘Shipments of garments and other major items continued with strong growths keeping exports earnings very much satisfactory,’ said one senior official of the Export Promotion Bureau.

The bureau data showed that export of knitwear increased by 43 per cent to US$ 5,073 million in the seven months of FY 10-11 while shipments of woven or cut and sewn garments grew 39 per cent to US$ 4,386 million.

Exports of home textiles increased by 87 per cent to $ 377 million, frozen shrimp shipments grew 54 per cent to $ 299 million and frozen fish 50 per cent to $ 76 million.

Finished leather exports grew 30 per cent to $ 149 million in seven months of the current fiscal year, raw-jute 91 per cent to $ 215 million, jute yarns grew by 51 per cent to $ 291 million.

Footwear exports grew 50 per cent to $ 173 million in the seven months of the current fiscal year.

Export of fresh and processed agricultural products amounted worth $ 194 million, growing 12 per cent year-on-year.

Proceeds from bicycle shipment amounted worth $ 54 million with growth at minus 11 per cent while pharmaceuticals exports amounted $ 25 million with growth at minus two per cent.

Tea exports amounted less than $ 2 million in seven months with proceeds declined 68 per cent of that of last year’s same period.

The government has targeted exports for the current fiscal at $ 18.5 billion, but industry people hope that export earnings may even cross the target.
Increased price of raw materials have contributed to the higher exports earnings. But industry watchers say increased demand from importers, who are facing problems in sourcing from China due to higher cost of production there, are giving more and more business to Bangladeshi exporters in recent months.

Source:http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/business/7988.html

What fantastic news!!:banana::banana: Looks to me that we are heading towards becoming an export powerhouse!

RMG export to reach $30 billion in 3 years: BGMEA

Our Correspondent

CHITTAGONG, February 9: The current global market trend of readymade garments is very positive. Apparels made in Bangladesh have wooed retailers in emerging markets. If we can hold on to it earnings from RMG export will reach US$ 30 billion in three years, BGMEA first vice president said.

Nasir Uddin Chowdhury further said that the sector is poised to earn $17 billion in the current fiscal against $12.39 billion in the year 2009-10, contributing 80 per cent of the country's total export earnings.

The BGMEA arranged a press meet at its new building at south Khulsi Wednesday, on the occasion of inauguration of the BGMEA Bhaban tomorrow (Thursday) and BGMEA Hospital in Chittagong on February 12.

Former first vice president of the organization and chairman of the KDS Group Alhaj Khalilur Rahman, Ershad Ullah, BGMEA director Farhad Abbas, Shahabuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, M Kafiluddin among others were present.

Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad will inaugurate the new BGMEA Building while State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Capt (rtd) ABM Tajul Islam, City Mayor M Manjur Alam and CDA Chairman Abdus Salam will address as special guests.

Prime Minister's Advisor on Health and Family Planning Syed Mudasser Ali will attend as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of BGMEA Hospital at Seamen's Hostel Gate on Airport Road while CDA Chairman Abdus Salam will attend as special guest on Saturday next.

Source:http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=125690&date=2011-02-10

Garment exports to go big
Refayet Ullah Mirdha

Garment exports will rise further in coming months, as manufacturers have already bagged bigger orders than before.

Most garment units are booked for several months, mainly due to a shift of international buyers to Bangladesh from China, the largest apparel supplying country globally.
"The garment exports will increase thanks to the EU's relaxed rules of origin under the generalised system of preferences," said Jalal Ahmed, vice-chairman of state-owned Export Promotion Bureau.

"The trend indicates that our garment export will grow even higher. Besides, we have developed quality high-end products for some new export destinations such as Japan," Ahmed said.

Recently, the exports of garment items, the highest export earning sector in Bangladesh, increased in some new destinations such as Japan, South Africa, Canada, China, India, Australia, New Zealand and to some Latin American countries.

The government data shows Bangladesh exported knitwear worth $5.07 billion during the July-January period of the current fiscal year, registering 43.22 percent growth compared with the same period a year ago. In the seven-month period, the country exported woven garments worth $4.38 billion, a 39.09 percent rise.

In the same period, the total exports were $12.19 billion against the $10.27 billion target. The annual export target has been set at $18.5 billion for fiscal 2010-11.

Abdullah Al-Mahmud, managing director of Mahin Group, a leading garment maker, said the higher growth of garment exports will continue in the next few months also, because the buyers are flocking to Bangladesh for higher costs of production in China.

The higher prices of raw materials, such as cotton and yarn, are also increasing the export earnings, as the buyers are paying high to help the makers cope with the costly imports, he said.

Bangladesh needs to import most of the raw materials for its garment industry.

"My factory is booked for the next few months. Demand for the local fabrics has gone up as the rules of origin came to effect from January 1, for the EU market."

"There is no possibility of a fall in order in the next few years," said Momin Mondol, managing director of Mondol Group.

Mondol, who supplies to some brands of Turkey, one of the leading players in apparel business worldwide, said the Turkish buyers are also coming to Bangladesh due to higher production costs there.

Shahadat Hossain Kiron, managing director of Dekko Group, said many manufacturers are expanding their capacity because the international buyers are now coming with bigger orders


Source:http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=174744

Exports to cross $22b mark: minister

Star Business ReportExports will cross the $22 billion mark surpassing the year's target, as the country has already earned $12 billion from over-seas trade in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, said Commerce Minister Faruk Khan yesterday.

The export target for fiscal 2010-11 was fixed at $18.5 billion, the minister said adding that exports grew by 39.85 percent in the first seven months, compared with the same period of the last fiscal year.

The minister was speaking at a ceremony of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh (JCI) at the city's Brac Centre Inn auditorium. The minister reiterated that the prices of basic commodities are still lower in Bangladesh compared with other countries.

Ceremonial chains were handed over to the six presidents of six chapters in Bangladesh of JCI, including Ahmed Ashfaqur Rahman (Dhaka-East), Mahib Ekram (Dhaka-West), Mahbub Manik (Dhaka-Central), Rehana Parveen (Dhaka-North), Mustafizur Rahman Sohel (Dhaka-South) and Abdul Moin (Chittagong-Central).

Three memoranda of understanding (MoU) were signed between Sandhani Dhaka Medical College and Prottoy Medical Clinic Limited at the ceremony.

Shahid Uddin Akbar, JCI Bangladesh national president, presided over the ceremonial event where Shafique Alam Mehedy, civil aviation and tourism secretary, MA Rouf Chowdhury, an FBCCI director, and Syed Alamgir, principal director of ACI Limited, also spoke.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=176801

Exports to cross $22b mark: minister

Star Business ReportExports will cross the $22 billion mark surpassing the year's target, as the country has already earned $12 billion from over-seas trade in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, said Commerce Minister Faruk Khan yesterday.

The export target for fiscal 2010-11 was fixed at $18.5 billion, the minister said adding that exports grew by 39.85 percent in the first seven months, compared with the same period of the last fiscal.


WooHoo!!Thats unprecedented!Export Target to be surpassed by $4 Billion!:banana:

Its likely that our exports that are expected to reach $22.5 Billion this year will be south asia's 2nd highest:cheers:
While our yearly remittance standing at $10.9 Billion is already south asia's 2nd Highest



Exports grow 40pc

Woven garment exports grew 37.95 percent in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, compared to the same period a year ago.Photo: STAR
Star Business ReportExports grew by 40.28 percent in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, compared to the same period a year ago, the government said yesterday.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the country exported goods worth $14.08 billion during July-February of fiscal 2010-11, up from $10.31 billion in the same period of 2009-10.

In February alone, exports grew by 43.33 percent to $1.89 billion, compared to the same month of the previous year, according to government data.

The EPB report shows exports of major products -- knitwear, woven, jute and jute goods, home textile, frozen foods, shrimp, leather goods -- have grown significantly during July-February period.

Among the major exported products, in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, the knitwear sector earned $5.80 billion, which is a 43.93 percent rise from the same period in the previous year.

Woven garment exports grew 37.95 percent to $5.13 billion, compared to the same-year-ago-period. At the same time, products such as tea, chemical products, bicycle, furniture, engineering products and petroleum by-products showed negative growth.

However, EPB set a target to earn $18.5 billion for the current fiscal year, which is 14.16 percent more than the actual earnings last year. During 2009-10, the total export earnings were $16.2 billion against a target of $17.6 billion, which was 4.11 percent higher than the 2008-2009 earnings.

On the growth of exports of the country, EPB vice-chairman Jalal Ahmed said 40 percent export growth has been maintained over the last few months, which is a positive sign in the overseas trade of the country.

The export of jute and jute goods has been increasing thanks to higher demand, part of the reason for higher growth in exports out of Bangladesh. The export of jute and jute goods grew by 51.04 percent to $734.39 million during July-February compared to the same period of the last year.

Moreover, the exports to the EU are growing significantly because of relaxed rules of origin under the generalised system of preferences (GSP), Ahmed said. The EU's relaxed rules for the least developed countries came into effect from January 1.

Exports are increasing mainly for higher exports to new destinations and because buyers are shifting to Bangladesh from China, the largest apparel supplying country worldwide, said Abdus Salam Murshedy, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

But the steady export growth is dependent on uninterrupted supply of gas and power to the industrial units and improved port management system, he added.

Salim Osman, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, linked the export growth to product diversification. Buyers have now more choices in Bangladesh, which was not possible earlier, he said


Source:http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=177069

Bangladesh moots sh29b rice project
Sunday, 1st May, 2011

By JOSEPHINE MASERUKA

BANGLADESH has presented a sh29.8b rice-growing project proposal to the vice-president, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya.

The project is the first of its kind under the private-government partnership.

It aims at planting 10,000 hectares of rice in Uganda from which 77,000 tones of rice will be realised annually.

The proposal was presented to Bukenya at the Kingdom of Katomi Hotel in Garuga off the Entebbe-Kampala road.

Present were the permanent secretary in the Vice-President’s office, Kivumbi Muwanga and an eight-member delegation from Bangladesh, including the honorary consul to Uganda, Abdul Hossain.

Abdul Matlub Ahmad, the leader of the delegation, said sh74b would be accrued from the 77,000 tonnes of rice annually.

“We plan to export 80% of the rice to Bangladesh and have the 20% retained in Uganda. This means about sh59b will go to Bangladesh and Uganda will retain about sh15b annually,” Matlub said.

He said Bangladesh had a food shortage of 1.5 metric tonnes, adding that if the proposal is approved and the project succeeds, they plan to set up 20 rice projects in Uganda to ensure food security.

Matlub explained that the first project would offer employment opportunities to 25,000. Of these, 2,500 would be foreign technicians who would train Ugandans, including farmers.

“Ugandans will benefit through trained manpower, improved incomes, more foreign exchange, construction of schools and hospitals and improved transportation sector,” he said.

Source: http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/753618

why is bangladesh going to uganda, the shipping costs will add up, they can start doing the same in burma

^^ I remember reading that Bangladesh is also talking to Myanmar about getting land for farming, but that doesn't seem to be going anywhere. But I am happy that there is some initiative taken to ensure food security for Bangladesh.

^^
While addressing food security they need to address the lack of proper (long term) storage facilities for grains and produce. Many bumper harvests go wasted owing lack of proper storage facilities, particularly cold storage.

I had heard about this arrangement where African and Asian countries with ample fertile lands but not enough farmers were looking for investors to come in and grow crops. I heard some Gulf countries were interested in renting land in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to grow cereals and then import them cheaply.

The arrangement with Uganda is a good move by Bangladesh. Zaire, Sudan, Congo, etc. have so much land but their populations suffer from malnourishment year round. Sharing of crops with countries like Bangladesh is a win win situation for everyone involved

I am glad that the private sector is taking this initiative. Besides, Bangladesh has a lot of goodwill in many parts of Africa because of UN peacekeeping and NGO activities. So, it won't be difficult for Bangladeshis to set up big farms in Africa

And I do agree with Towhid Bhai that we need to improve our logistics when it comes to food storage.

......

And I do agree with Towhid Bhai that we need to improve our logistics when it comes to food storage.

As I was saying .....

FE Editorial

This year's potato harvest, 12 to 13 million tonnes, has broken all records, once again putting the primary producers in the usual 'bumper paradox' --- prices falling so low as to turn the bounty into a veritable blight for those who have failed to reserve space in cold storage godowns. Farmers who do not have the wherewithal to store the crop are forced to sell their surplus at below production cost rather than wait for a while for a reasonable return. It is the same old story. Facilities, about 350 godowns, are said to be enough for only about a quarter of the harvest, a little over three million tonnes. But this need not be so problematic if the relevant authorities put their minds to helping the producers make the most of the bounty. Farmers can certainly go for alternative arrangements, like erecting airy bamboo shelves, which work very well to keep potatoes from spoiling.

Last year Rangpur alone harvested about 1.3 million tonnes, according to the agricultural extension department. But there being only 30 or so storage facilities available in the district, no more than 0.25 million tonnes could be stored. Frustrated potato farmers had then made news, staging a sit-in with sacks full of their produce on the main road. The purpose was to draw the government's attention to their plight and the urgent need to expand storage space for all bumper crops. The police reportedly had treated the potato farmers rather harshly. This year's potato glut amounts to over 12 million tons, according to 'primary official estimates', as reportedly in this paper late last month, and many farmers are having to sell their produce below production cost. However, there are signs that things will look up soon. Indeed, if enough value-adding enterprises like potato starch-making factories, are initiated to utilize this excellent raw material, Bangladesh could both save and earn foreign exchange, given the fact there is sufficient demand for potato starch both at home and abroad. Some 6,000 tonnes of it is imported annually to feed the country's textile, pharmaceutical and paper industries. Would-be buyers from a number of European and Asia-Pacific region are reportedly waiting for potato-starch factories to be commissioned, sooner rather than later.

There are in fact countless ways to add value to this popular root vegetable, which nutritionists say is a quality carbohydrate in which the proportion of protein is equivalent to that of wheat. It gives three grams of protein per 100 kilocalories whereas rice yields only two grams in the same amount, which is good enough reason to include plenty of potatoes ( protein content in sweet potatoes is not as good ) in the daily diet. Large swathes of people across the world, which include Europeans, enjoy potatoes as a staple together with wheat.

If small scale farmers are to get fairer returns the government has to take a number of pragmatic steps such as, facilitating the setting up of small scale agro-based enterprises that could enable even humble folk to turn their surpluses into value-added products. They could be linked-up, on equitable terms, with up-market entrepreneurs in food-processing. This would entail discouraging the indiscriminate import of similar products until they are mature enough to take on the so-called free-market competition. Believers in 'fair-trade', many of whom work in Bangladesh's non-government sector, might be of great use to the primary producers in this regard, both for ensuring quality control and accessing world markets.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=134846&date=2011-05-07

^^ I feel like Bangladesh needs a commodities exchange market to help farmers get a fair price of their products. That way, farmers can grow what the market demands.

And of course, logistics on transportation of goods and storage needs to improve!

^^ I feel like Bangladesh needs a commodities exchange market to help farmers get a fair price of their products. That way, farmers can grow what the market demands.

And of course, logistics on transportation of goods and storage needs to improve!

A very good idea. Since it may not happen anytime soon, I believe the many NGOs whose focus is agriculture and farmers has a role to fulfill. They (the NGOs) could help educate the farmers about market forces, establish storage facilities and organize better logistics through cooperatives and other private sector endeavors.

Export earnings cross $18b in 10 months
45% growth from last year

Exports grew by 40.81 percent in 10 months of the current fiscal year, compared to the same period a year ago, the commerce ministry said on Monday.

A report of the Export Promotion Bureau shows the country exported goods worth $18,243 million during July-April of the current 2010-11 fiscal, up from $12,949 million in the same period of 2009-10.

The government data shows that in April alone, exports grew by 45.56 percent, compared to the same month of the previous year, to $2.04 billion.
Shipment of major items including knitwear, woven or cut and sew garments, jute and jute goods, home textiles, frozen food, shrimp and leather goods increased significantly during the July-April period.

A senior official of the Export Promotion Bureau said strong increase on the shipment of garments continued in April as Bangladeshi exporters had plenty of orders in hands in the last months of 2010.

‘With high cost of raw materials raising the price of finished garments, shipment in terms of value increased sharply in the past half year,’ he told New Age replying to a question.

Readymade garments consist around four-fifths of the entire export earnings. The EPB report says knitwear sector earned $7.13 billion, which is a 45.89 percent rise from the same period in the previous year while woven garment exports grew to $6.61 billion, up 38.59 percent compared to the same period last year.

The EPB report also shows that jute and jute goods export rose to $925 million in July-April 2010-11, growing 42 percent year-on-year, home textile exports rose to $636 million, growing 98 percent, frozen foods to $511 million, up 54 percent and footwear export grew by 49 percent to $243 million.

Despite most major items showed significant rise in shipment, some items suffered negative growths in exports. Among such significant items, export earning from terry towels declined by 11 percent to $102 million, bicycle 13 percent to $81 million and tea 52 percent to $2.6 million.

EPB had set an export target to earn $18.5 billion for the current fiscal year, which is 14.16 percent more than the actual earnings last year.

But export sector insiders predicted that earnings would cross $22 billion by the end of this fiscal.

During 2009-10, the total export earnings were $16.2 billion against a target of $17.6 billion but real earnings were 4.11 percent higher than the earnings of 2008-2009 fiscal year.

http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/business/18154.html

The potato dilemma is so sad in so many levels. For one, our farmers have no clue what the demand is for this crop. Secondly, they have no clue how to preserve it properly when storage facilities are not available. I mean why can't they make it into potato flour or other "Value added" product that will garner higher prices?

Our population still suffers from malnutrition and if a program is started to somehow add potato as a staple to our diet, I'm sure we can solve a lot of the hunger and nourishment issues.

I wish I had the capital to setup an industry to make and export frozen french fries, whole peeled potatoes, potato flour, hash browns, and countless other potato derivatives to bring in some much needed $$. Sylheti expatriate bros and others with crores in useless bank deposits or who are buying hyper-inflated real estate should look into these opportunities.

22 billion usd of exports would be quite an achievement for Bangladesh...a few more years,and BGMEA says we will reach 35 billion usd.Can't wait for that to happen.:cheers:

22 billion usd of exports would be quite an achievement for Bangladesh...a few more years,and BGMEA says we will reach 35 billion usd.Can't wait for that to happen.:cheers:

Great news and achievement for Bangladesh, but such success is yet to reflect in the higher (expensive) brands of clothing. Bangladesh still appears to be the garments supplier the masses (read: inexpensive).

^^ I do see "Made in Bangladesh" in H&M clothes, I hope soon that tag will move to clothes sold by Banana Republic and Express.

^^ I do see "Made in Bangladesh" in H&M clothes, I hope soon that tag will move to clothes sold by Banana Republic and Express.

Talking of H&M,I went to their outlet in dubai mall the other day and found more than 50% of their men's clothing to have the 'made in Bangladesh' tag.I was like really surprised:)

^^ I do see "Made in Bangladesh" in H&M clothes, I hope soon that tag will move to clothes sold by Banana Republic and Express.
what you saying man banana republic, polo ralph lauren, abercrombie, kenzo, piere cardin, kenneth cole ny & reaction, dkny, ck, tommy hilfiger, winter jackets of lacoste have a lot of stuff made in bd, i have tons of them, check out the made in bd thread

but these are near luxury brands, most luxury brands still make a living with that "made in italy" tag

but you odda know at the end of the ralph lauren's payment

bangladesh needs to move into other areas as well like footwear, belt and accessory produtions and could make more money from these same brands

^^ For some reasons, those clothing doesn't make it to the US. When I go to get B&R, Ralph Lauren and other upper-end retail stores, the clothing is mainly made in Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam. Maybe Bangladeshi producers make clothes for those brands but they are sold in Europe.

yeah i guess but i have seen rl stuff made in bangladesh here in ca, but thats rare, a friend of mine in the garments industry told me the ones that go to america are cheaper in comparison to the ones that go to europe or japan/korea

most of the anf rl stuff from bd goes to japan/europe

Yeah, and Dope you are right, we should diversify and look into producing more value-added stuff.

what you saying man banana republic, polo ralph lauren, abercrombie, kenzo, piere cardin, kenneth cole ny & reaction, dkny, ck, tommy hilfiger, winter jackets of lacoste have a lot of stuff made in bd, i have tons of them, check out the made in bd thread

Are contracts for these brands being directly made with Bangladeshi garment manufacturers or through subcontracts? I seldom come across "Made in Bangladesh" clothes in most of the places I shop at, like Macy's, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Von Maur.


but these are near luxury brands, most luxury brands still make a living with that "made in italy" tag

Really? You realize that there is a distinct difference between mass market (production) garments that are sold through various distribution channels like department stores, brand label stores, etc, and haute couture, what you are probably alluding to "Made in Italy" tag, don't you? One can rarely find clothing with such tags even in the most uppity of uppity (priciest) department stores in this country. Made in Italy, does not really hold any special allure for most people in this country, save perhaps for Hollywood types and as such.


but you odda know at the end of the ralph lauren's payment

Sorry, but I do not understand what you mean by that.

Are contracts for these brands being directly made with Bangladeshi garment manufacturers or through subcontracts? I seldom come across "Made in Bangladesh" clothes in most of the places I shop at, like Macy's, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Von Maur.



Really? You realize that there is a distinct difference between mass market (production) garments that are sold through various distribution channels like department stores, brand label stores, etc, and haute couture, what you are probably alluding to "Made in Italy" tag, don't you? One can rarely find clothing with such tags even in the most uppity of uppity (priciest) department stores in this country. Made in Italy, does not really hold any special allure for most people in this country, save perhaps for Hollywood types and as such.



Sorry, but I do not understand what you mean by that.
yes they go through subcontracts from companies based in korea, hong kong uk, germany and the netherlands

most of the clothes sourced from bangladesh by these brands are to europe, you should check my thread, haute couture is true luxury these are near luxury brands, you will notice that most diesel jeans are made in italy and they are found in these department stores, it really doesnt make a difference where it is made because it was probably made for dirt cheap prices compared to the price it is being sold for, PVH brands like ck dkny kenneth cole, izod, etc source most of their dress shirts from bangladesh, ralph lauren started procuring from bangladesh since 2008 and take products in two qualities, one for their discount outlets in america the other for the super quality conscious markets of japan, mind you they pay more for the product destined for japan/europe


but for luxury brands they strive on italian craftsmanship as a part of their allure

Export target for this fiscal set at $26.36b
FE Report



The government has fixed the export target at $26.36 billion for the current fiscal year, representing a 15 per cent growth over the total export earning in the last fiscal.

The country achieved an impressive 41.47 per cent growth in export earning in the just concluded 2010-11 fiscal.

It grew at a 4.0 per cent rate in 2009-10 fiscal at a time when SAARC countries India, Pakistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka witnessed a negative growth due to the global economic downturn.

The export target was fixed Tuesday at a meeting of the Ministry of Commerce, where knitwear and woven garments exporters, who account for some 80 per cent of the country's shipment, endorsed to the government's projection.

Commerce Minister Faruk Khan said, "It's a milestone achievement to touch $23.0 billion export earning in the last fiscal, which has not been seen by the country earlier."

He felt that 2011-12 export target was achievable and said the government would give priority to the export-oriented industries in providing gas and electricity.

Knit, woven garments including home textile, jute and jute goods, footwear, leather and leather goods, frozen fish and shipbuilding sectors performed well in the just concluded financial year, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice Chairman Jalal Ahmed told the FE.

"We hope the overall growth will sustain," he said.

"For the current fiscal, we have set 13 per cent growth target banking on the continuous better performance by the ready-made garment sector. I don't think the target will be difficult to achieve," he said.

He explained the cotton price was decreasing and would further cool down in December, which would raise the volume of garments export.

Moreover, the production of jute is increasing although the price of jute has decreased in the local market, but we are hopeful that raw jute export would increase further.

Export of garment items, which include T-shirts, jeans pants, pullovers, shirts and sweaters, grew more than 40 per cent in the year that concluded on June 30, 2011.

For the current fiscal year, all 21 major export products, barring those related to petroleum, have been projected to grow, including the top item knitwear at 13.50 per cent, woven garments 13 per cent, jute and jute products 23.81 per cent, leather products 40 per cent, ceramic products 15 per cent, ships, boats, and floating structures 533 per cent and agro-processed food 12 per cent.

Export of frozen food is expected to grow by a modest 12 per cent. Shrimp exports recorded the worst fall in a decade in 2009-10 fiscal, but witnessed a 40 per cent growth in 2010-11 fiscal with an earning worth $625.04 million.

According to EPB, export of footwear in the ongoing fiscal year will cross $400 million and engineering products $300 million for the first time in the country's history.


Source:http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=142670&date=2011-07-13

The report is in Bengali so I could not paste it here, but it says that Walton Electronics of Bangladesh has started exporting electronics to South Sudan. It will also export electronics to other countries in Africa soon.

http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2011-07-19/news/171115

The report is in Bengali so I could not paste it here, but it says that Walton Electronics of Bangladesh has started exporting electronics to South Sudan. It will also export electronics to other countries in Africa soon.

http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2011-07-19/news/171115

I thought they already were (I'm quite sure I read it somewhere). Anyway, kudos to the marketing department, hopefully they have one, for choosing their target market. Competition should be minimum, if any, given that all I see are huts in South Sudan (disclaimer: not to be taken as a disparaging remark, rather based on the pictures found on the web).

Finally the Huge trade deficit may be wiped out:cheers:



Exports to India may reach 5 billion USD in 4 years
India duty-free deal 'game-changer' for Bangladesh


DHAKA - As Abdus Salam Murshedey strolls through his vast garment factory in Dhaka, hundreds of seamstresses stitch shirts for export shipments he says will be boosted by a relaxing of Indian import rules.

Murshedey has built his company, Envoy Group, into a multi-million dollar firm with 18,000 employees on the back of orders from major Western high street brands including Zara, Next and French retail giant Carrefour.

But the shirts the women are working on are for top Indian retailer Pantaloon, and since India recently granted immediate duty-free access to 46 Bangladeshi garment types, Murshedey says orders like this are set to rise.


"I'm going to have to recruit thousands of new workers to meet new Indian orders. Already we've received lots of queries from Indian retailers," he said.

For decades, New Delhi imposed quota restrictions on Bangladeshi garments, limiting duty-free exports to 10 million pieces a year. Murshedey, for example, could only accept Indian orders for up to 300,000 items annually.

"Pantaloon is happy with our quality and price. But we could not raise orders because of the quota bar," he told AFP.

Bangladesh is the world's third-largest garment producer, exporting US$19 billion (S$24 billion) of apparel in the year to June 2011. Indian orders accounted for a tiny percentage of this.
The garment industry, which accounts for 80 per cent of the impoverished country's total exports, relies on orders from European and North American retailers such as Sweden's H&M, America's Gap and British supermarket Tesco.

The dependence on the EU and North America worries exporters like Murshedey, who say orders are slowing due to fears of a double dip recession. This is why, he says, he's relieved by India's recent announcement.

"The duty-free decision by India means we can now combat any slump in EU and US orders. Our export potential to India is now unlimited," he said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced the garment deal during a historic trip to Dhaka earlier this month, in an effort to address long-standing grievances over a multi-billion-dollar trade imbalance in India's favour.

Dhaka's exports are worth just one-ninth of the US$4.5 billion (S$5.6 billion) of goods India shipped to Bangladesh in the 2010-11 financial year.
The garment deal is the best thing to have happened to the sector since the 1990s, when similar duty-free access to the EU transformed Bangladesh's apparel trade into a multi-billion dollar industry, say insiders.

"It will be game-changer in our trade ties," said Salim Osman, head of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).

Osman said the duty-free access "represents a realistic chance" for Bangladesh to wipe out the trade deficit for the first time in four decades.

"We can raise our exports to as much as US$5 billion by 2015," he said, adding it will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and make India the country's third-largest market after the United States and the EU.
According to the BKMEA, the new duty-free deal will allow Bangladeshi-made shirts, trousers, ladies' wear, children's wear, t-shirts and jeans access to Indian markets.

These items are what have made fortunes for Bangladeshi factory owners as the country's cheap labour means they enjoy a competitive advantage on basic, low-cost goods over their global rivals.

"The beauty of the latest offer is it does not have any strings or quotas attached," said Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, head of the 4,500-factory strong Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

Indian factories should not be alarmed by the new deal, he said, because many Bangladeshi factories use Indian cotton and yarn to produce the apparel.

But already there have been protests in India, with textile groups pleading with the government to stop the new trade access. Experts say the Indian government must stick to its guns.

"The duty-free access is a reflection that India genuinely believes in much stronger ties with Bangladesh," said Ifty Islam, a Dhaka-based partner at Asian Tiger Capital.

"India opening its markets means a lot to Bangladeshi industry. It will allow Bangladesh to diversify its export market away from Europe and America to Asia," he added.


Source:http://business.asiaone.com/Business/News/Story/A1Story20110918-300069.html

The report is too optimistic but I'll be the first one to cheer if Indian markets get dependent on Bangladesh imports for high quality at low cost versus us getting dependent on their market access. Their market and consumers got an excellent deal on the whole thing.

The export/import logistics should be sorted out as well. Number one on the list is the future expansion of Inland container facilities in and around Dhaka (inland river container terminals and shuttle carriers to CTG) which will also facilitate Indian imports of cotton and yarn by riverine container carriers (lowering transshipment costs).

I don't see what the Indian Garments producers are carping about. Their cost to produce items is way too high and the useless protectionist subsidies and non-tariff barriers should have been done away with a long time ago. The era of the license raj is over. Time to shift your capital to Bangladesh...

Rahimafrooz's business plan in India deferred for security reasons


FE Report

India last week deferred a business expansion plan of Rahimafrooz Batteries Ltd for reasons of security.

Rahimafrooz proposed setting up of a wholly-owned subsidiary to undertake import and wholesale distribution of its batteries and provide services in India.

But Indian Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) early last week deferred the proposal saying that it was yet to get security clearance from Indian security agency concerned.

Rahimafrooz Group Director Niaz Rahim told the Financial Express that Indian FIPB deferred the

expansion plan which had been proposed to serve Indian traders and users.

"It is unfortunate that our country is cordially welcoming Indian trade and investment but India is withholding our business expansion plan on irrational grounds," Niaz Rahim said.

He said Rahimafrooz Batteries has been trying to establish a subsidiary to undertake the import and wholesale distribution of its batteries and provide services in India since last one year.

The main objective of the subsidiary is to ensure timely distribution of the products to Indian traders and ensure better post-procurement services to the Rahimafrooz battery users.

Niaz Rahim said the company is continuing its efforts to establish its subsidiary in India.

"We are repeatedly meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh and other officials to make them understand that trading battery has nothing to do with security," Niaz Rahim added.

He urged the government of Bangladesh to immediately withdraw the embargo that the Bangladesh Bank imposed on investment by Bangladeshi businessmen abroad.

"This rule is ridiculously hampering Bangladeshi business expansion plans abroad. If the rule is relaxed the local businessmen will explore many other opportunities and joint ventures across the world,' Niaz Rahim expressed the hope.

Sources said the FIPB during a meeting approved 12 foreign direct investment proposals worth about Indian Rs. 2.43 billion but it deferred decisions on 15 FDI proposals, including that of Rahimafrooz.

Rahimafrooz Batteries Ltd. (RBL) is the largest lead-acid battery manufacturer in Bangladesh.

The company is one of the leading regional players, with market leadership at home. It exports batteries to more than 44 countries around the world.

It manufactures about 200 different types of batteries for automobiles, motorcycle, IPS and for other applications in its factory located at West Panisail, Zirani Bazaar in Gazipur.

The expertise and reputation of Rahimafrooz as a manufacturer of quality batteries locally and internationally has inspired the Group to invest in setting up a new battery factory at Ishwardi EPZ to cater to the growing potential in the international battery market.


http://thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=150703&date=2011-09-25

Rahimafrooz's business plan in India deferred for security reasons


FE Report

India last week deferred a business expansion plan of Rahimafrooz Batteries Ltd for reasons of security.

...........


http://thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=150703&date=2011-09-25

WTF indeed! It is known as shaag diye mache dhaka.

well india always blocks ventures from bd and pak on same grounds, i wonder when will bd govts man up to do the same for india

WTF indeed! It is known as shaag diye mache dhaka.


Indeed! I think the Indian business groups lobbied their govt. minister hard and this is the result. If this is not an example of unfair trade and protectionist non-tariff barrier -- then what is?

The time has come for them to choose what's more important -- their trade relationship with one of their largest trade partners or propping up some 'Chhota dimag / Chhota aukat' traders and business-dinosaurs trailing behind in the world stage whose costs of doing business remain high because of artificial local subsidies.

If the kitchen gets too hot for some -- then they should get out of the kitchen! If Indian businessmen can't compete with even Bangladeshi competition then they should choose another line of business or change their business model. Trade subsidies never work -- it's a losing game.

Indeed! I think the Indian business groups lobbied their govt. minister hard and this is the result. If this is not an example of unfair trade and protectionist non-tariff barrier -- then what is?

The time has come for them to choose what's more important -- their trade relationship with one of their largest trade partners or propping up some 'Chhota dimag / Chhota aukat' traders and business-dinosaurs trailing behind in the world stage whose costs of doing business remain high because of artificial local subsidies.

If the kitchen gets too hot for some -- then they should get out of the kitchen! If Indian businessmen can't compete with even Bangladeshi competition then they should choose another line of business or change their business model. Trade subsidies never work -- it's a losing game.

Well said!:cheers:

BD set to get first-ever carbon credit
German bank to provide Waste Concern $0.136m per year
Syful Islam

Bangladesh is set to receive the first-ever carbon credit from the global Carbon Development Mechanism (CDM) initiative for a waste management project that helps reduce methane gas emission, sources said.

"We are very close to receiving the credit. We can get it at any day," Iftekhar Enayetullah, director of Waste Concern, the enterprise, recycling the organic wastes into fertiliser, told the FE Wednesday.

"All the processes for receiving the credit are over. Our project was scheduled to receive it some months earlier. Since there are a number of such projects with the UNFCC, it is taking time. The carbon credit will come from the CDM initiative under the Kyoto Protocol," he said.

The Waste Concern operates a recycling project in Rupganj, Narayanganj, where it produces fertiliser through composting vegetable wastes, collected from two markets of Dhaka.

Mr Enayetullah said: "Everyday we collect some 100 tonnes of vegetable waste from two city markets and recycle in our plant. If those wastes were dumped elsewhere, they could have emitted a substantial volume of methane gas."

The plant began operations in November 2008, and is currently producing 15,000 tonnes of compost annually. These organic fertilisers are being sold to the farmers.

The Kyoto Protocol has committed that the industrialised nations will patronise the efforts of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to some extent by investing in emission-reducing projects in the developing nations. The projects that receive credit under the CDM can trade with the industrialised countries.

The Waste Concern will receive credits for reduction of greenhouse gas emission by 9,500 tonnes per year. The KfW, the German government's development bank, will buy the credit and provide Waste Concern US$136,000 per year.

Mr Enayetullah earlier told the FE that the money it would receive from the carbon trading would be invested for further expansion of the plant's capacity to process 700 tonnes of waste per day.

"As soon as we receive the fund and get electricity connection from the national grid, we will expand the plant," he said.

"At present we have to depend on diesel generator due to acute power shortage that has decreased the plant's capacity of annual emission reduction to 95 per cent of the original target."

Source: The Financial Express: http://thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=151962&date=2011-10-06

Two videos outlining bicycle and plastics exports which fall under the 'light engineering' sector. I'm sure the electrical and plumbing export sectors are thriving as well but no videos so far. I'll keep looking.

BTW a lot of the good UK and American brands are sourcing their bicycles from local makers -- both complete bicycles as well as framesets. Raleigh (http://www.raleighusa.com/), Diamondback (http://www.diamondback.com/), Claude Butler (http://www.falconcycles.co.uk/CORP/cb/index.html) were mentioned in the first video. Mostly lower end for now -- but thats where one has to start.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muVItXkS6jA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmT2vYx38mc&feature=related

Two videos outlining bicycle and plastics exports which fall under the 'light engineering' sector. I'm sure the electrical and plumbing export sectors are thriving as well but no videos so far. I'll keep looking.

BTW a lot of the good American brands are sourcing their Raleigh, Diamondback (http://www.diamondback.com/), Claude Butler (http://www.falconcycles.co.uk/CORP/cb/index.html) were mentioned in the first video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muVItXkS6jA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmT2vYx38mc&feature=related

Very heartening news. On a lighter note, that does it for the deshis (from the subcontinent)! They'll now stop buying bicycles of those brands. :D

Very heartening news. On a lighter note, that does it for the deshis (from the subcontinent)! They'll now stop buying bicycles of those brands. :D

Ha-ha, good point :lol::lol:

Though I doubt most Deshis/Bangladeshis are seriously into bicycling as a hobby.

The bike brands mentioned above (even at the lower end) will cost $450 and up for a complete bike. Most serious bicyclists' bikes with a good alloy frame usually cost $2000 all up with good quality Shimano (http://bike.shimano.com/) crank-sets, brakes, wheels etc. The frame is the only thing most bike companies are sourcing from Bangladesh nowadays because of lower labor cost (one third of India even).

And labor cost for making customized mid-market bike frames which come in various frame sizes to match height and leg stride is critical. With labor costs skyrocketing in China and other low cost bike sources -- the natural destination is Bangladesh. I also know that there is sourcing in Chittagong EPZ for Bike crank-set and fishing reel components -- a business that both Daiwa and Shimano are in. Also -- Abu Garcia makes GFRP and carbon fiber wrapped fishing rods there. All three of these companies are Japanese. So the expertise for making carbon fiber bike frames is already there for the last decade and a half.

The frame is the only thing most bike companies are sourcing from Bangladesh nowadays because of lower labor cost (one third of India even).


According to data I was looking at yesterday. Our per capita GDP is half that of India. So shouldnt labour costs be half of what is India? Just shows what slave-like conditions workers have to work under.

According to data I was looking at yesterday. Our per capita GDP is half that of India. So shouldnt labour costs be half of what is India? Just shows what slave-like conditions workers have to work under.

Not necessarily. To cite you an example, here in the US, there are unionized labor and non-unionized. Obviously, the wages and benefits are significantly better in unionized factories and plants. At the same time, the backlog of people waiting to find a job within non-unionized places are greater than anywhere else. Even in unionized factories, the unions have been forced to accept two-tier wages owing to the recent economic downturn.

In Bangladesh, I consider it to be a vast improvement in quality of life for these people. Before the advent of the garment industries and other EPZ based factories, most poor people used to work as servants in urban areas. I consider the life of a servant to be that of slave-labor, since I have witnessed it with my own eyes.

Not necessarily. To cite you an example, here in the US, there are unionized labor and non-unionized. Obviously, the wages and benefits are significantly better in unionized factories and plants. At the same time, the backlog of people waiting to find a job within non-unionized places are greater than anywhere else. Even in unionized factories, the unions have been forced to accept two-tier wages owing to the recent economic downturn.


I dont get it. Do you mean all workers in India are unionized while the ones in BD arent.

I remember there were protests on the streets on Wisconsin at the beginning of the year since the Republican governor there launched an attack on unions. AFAIK workers usually vote for Democrats and hence Republicans just pretty much loathe them.

I dont get it. Do you mean all workers in India are unionized while the ones in BD arent.

Let me put it this way: while the most industries in India are unionized, in Bangladesh they are not.


I remember there were protests on the streets on Wisconsin at the beginning of the year since the Republican governor there launched an attack on unions. AFAIK workers usually vote for Democrats and hence Republicans just pretty much loathe them.

Very good observation. But the unions that Wisconsin governor went after were government employees' unions like the (school) teachers union, state employees union, firefighters union. They are different/separate from likes of AFl-CIO, UAW, UMW that are in the business sector and non governmental. The government, where state or federal, has no say (authority/jurisdiction) over such unions.

Saw this report today. Bangladesh will be leasing land from Myanmar to grow crops there:

http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2011-11-29/news/204706

Japan set to become BD's third largest apparel export destination in two yrs

Japan is set to emerge as Bangladesh's third largest apparel export destination within next two years following relaxation of rules of origin (RoO) for generalised system of preferences (GSP) scheme, industry insiders said.

Canada is now holding the third position as Bangladeshi apparel importing nation. It had imported apparel worth US$894 million in the last fiscal year while Japan is in the fifth position importing apparel worth $274.51 million during the same period.

Japan has relaxed RoO from three stages to two stages in March this year. Soon after the relaxation of RoO, apparel export to the world's third largest economy has got momentum and it achieved over 120 per cent growth during July-November period of the current fiscal year comparing to the corresponding period of last fiscal.

Selim Osman, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BKMEA), said they are attaching top priority to Japan while exporting knitwear items.

"This year we have arranged only one fair abroad that is in Japan. So you can assume from it what priority we are giving to Japan as an export destination," Mr Osman said.

"Japanese always prefer slow motion policy but lengthy relation in any trade related matters. If we can achieve their trust through the fair then we are hopeful that apparel export to the country would overtake the export income of apparel from Canada within couple of years," he added.

According to information of BKMEA, some 145 entrepreneurs are going to take part in an apparel fair in Japan from January 24 to January 26, 2012. BKMEA and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) have jointly organised the fair.

Considering the bright prospect for export of apparel items to Japan, EPB on November 29 this year had arranged a special seminar on 'Japanese GSP scheme: relaxation of rules of origin' where members from both BKMEA, BGMEA, Board of Investment, Ministry of Commerce, different chambers, different government, non-government commercial banks and a good number of garment owners were present.

Ex- vice chairman of EPB, Mujibur Rahman Hawlader said, "If the country could utilise the scope that emerged for the country after relaxation of rules of origin by Japan, I strongly believe that it would positively benefit the sector manifold."

Besides relaxation of RoO for GSP scheme from three stages to two, it has also relaxed GSP system in one stage under certain conditions such as if any company sources any thing from Japan then the company would be allowed for single stage GSP.

According to the information of EPB, Japan had adopted China plus one policy in 2006.

The country (Japan) had imported ready made garments worth $12.61 billion from different countries in the last fiscal year, of which garments worth $10.08 billion were imported from China, $742m from Vietnam, $443m from Italy, $180m from Myanmar, $177m from India, $247m from Bangladesh, $110m from Indonesia, $80m from France and $75m from the USA.

On the other hand, in the last fiscal year, Bangladesh had exported RMG products worth $10.52 billion to the European countries. The break-up of income is- $4.625 billion to the USA, $894 million to Canada, $518 million to Turkey and $247 million to Japan.

http://www.fe-bd.com/more.php?news_id=161238&date=2011-12-31

17th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) kicks off Sunday


The month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair will kick off in Dhaka from Sunday.

Export Promotion Bureau under the Ministry of Commerce has completed all necessary preparations to hold the event at city’s Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, officials said.

EPB has been organsing the mega exposition for seventeenth time to showcase locally produced quality exportable goods to the visitors from home and abroad.

At the same time, foreign participants will get opportunity to display their products to the consumers in Bangladesh, a quick expanding domestic consumer market.

Besides, the participants will be able to identify business contacts with prospect of entering into subsequent business negotiations.

The fair venue has already worn a festive look. In a brief visit there, workers were found busy for giving last-minute touches to stall and pavilions.

There will be 53 premier pavilions, 41 reserved pavilion, 14 reserved mini pavilion, 36 premier mini pavilions, 50 premier stalls, while the number of general stalls will be 295, according to EPB.

A total of 27 category local products will be displayed besides foreign ones.

DITF 2012 will also have trade information centre, media centre, banking and ATM service, mother & child care services, postal service, fire service, first aid services, and security services.

http://www.daily-sun.com//details_yes_30-12-2011_ds-ditf-2012-kicks-off-sunday_437_1_3_1_4.html

PM launches Chittagong port automation
27 Dec 2011 10:27:28 PM Tuesday BdST

CHITTAGONG: Cargo handling of Chittagong Port has gone into a full-pledged automation as the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Tuesday inaugurated the Container Terminal Management System (CTMS) in the country’s premier sea port.

Launching the CTMS, the Prime Minister said her government is sincere to develop the port as its is being used for the country`s 90 percent export and import.

The work on container handling of ships is now running fully through all of eight modules of CTMS.

Under the new system, loading and unloading of containers from the ships at the port, shifting of container in the yard, stacking, tracking, delivery and gate control will be conducted through on-line billing.

The CPA (Chittagong Port Authority) management in a circular advised the stakeholders that with the introduction of CTMS, pre-advise of the export container should be sent to the system through EDI before 48 hours.

Besides, all export containers should reach the scheduled yard of the port before 24 hours of berthing of the export vessels, rotation No. and Voyage No. should be submitted with the vessel declaration to the system before 72 hours of ETA of the container ships.

With the implementation of the system, the complete operational activities have come under online networking system including all payment of charges and dues.

The partial automation began earlier on October 10 at Chittagong Container Terminal and New Mooring Container Terminal. The port also introduced CTMS on October 12 for General Cargo Berth.

It is hoped that the container handling capacity of the port would double the present rate. CTMS would also help ease harassment with the process.

http://www.banglanews24.com/English/detailsnews.php?nssl=fcb1b4d0e2857e455459138fe3ce2abf&nttl=2011122929744

India keen to give Bangladesh ‘most preferred nation’ status: Chidambaram

TNN | Jan 7, 2012, 02.02AM IST

NEW DELHI: India on Friday said it was keen to give Bangladesh 'most preferred nation' status for trade across the border and would try to ensure capital flows to that country for business.

Stating that both the countries could join hands in making this part of the world a hub of business activities, home minister P Chidambaram said Bangladesh was blessed with natural resources, especially natural gas and India was blessed with entrepreneurs and capital.

"Joining hands together, so much business can be created on both sides of the border. I think it is important that businessmen look upon Bangladesh and India as one market, as a market where goods and services can be produced, traded and exchanged.

"That is why we are very keen to gift Bangladesh the most preferred nation status for trade across the border (so that) trade between the two countries takes place almost tariff free. We should reach out to Bangladesh," he said.

Addressing the Northeast Business Summit, Chidambaram said since India's economy was many times bigger than the economy of Bangladesh, it was New Delhi's responsibility to give access to goods and services from Dhaka.

"It is India's responsibility to ensure that capital flows from India to Bangladesh to start businesses," he said.

Praising Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina, Chidambaram said India today has the best of relationship with Bangladesh, thanks to the vision and statesmanship of the prime minister.

"I want to pay tribute to the vision and statesmanship of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. India and Bangladesh are today closer than ever before. We are perhaps today as close as the day on which Bangladesh was liberated," Chidambaram said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-keen-to-give-Bangladesh-most-preferred-nation-status-Chidambaram/articleshow/11394401.cms

Tripura shows the right way
Chief minister opens door for investment after Hasina's power plant proposal

Monday, January 16, 2012

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent visit to Tripura has sparked a dialogue about expanding trade and other bilateral relations between Dhaka and Agartala.

Terming Hasina's call for setting up a joint-venture power plant in Tripura a very good proposal, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar of the Indian state said, "Bangladeshi investors, who are interested in investing in such a plant, should come up with specific proposals on permission from their government."

Talking to The Daily Star in his office in Agartala on Friday, Manik Sarkar said his government gave its consent to the Bangladesh government's plan to open up four new border haats between Brahmanbaria and Tripura.

He also said his government is in the process of opening up a "Bangladesh Market" in Agartala, where only Bangladeshi goods will be sold. Fifteen such shops have already been allotted in a newly built market at Lichubagan of Agartala, he said.

Referring to Tripura's conservative approach to foreign direct investment [FDI] there in opposition to the central government's liberal policy, the state's chief minister said the conservative approach does not apply to investments from Bangladesh.

"We are not looking at Bangladesh as we look at the US, Japan, France or Germany in regard to FDI. We generally oppose FDI. But Bangladesh is not a shark or a crocodile. So there is no question of disallowing Bangladesh from investing in the state," said Manik Sarkar.

"India has to have a liberal attitude towards Bangladesh in regard to bilateral relations," he added.

He said there will be enhanced exchange between Agartala and Dhaka in the fields of education, culture and sports.

Addressing a huge crowd of people of all walks of life at Assam Rifles Ground in Agartala on January 12, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed to Tripura that a joint-venture power plant could be set up there for mutual benefit.

The same day the Tripura chief minister acknowledged that Bangladesh helped India to carry heavy equipment for setting up a power plant at Palatana of Tripura which will produce 726 megawatt (MW) of electricity, of which the state government will get 196 MW while it will be able to export 100 MW to Bangladesh.

He said after getting proposals about the joint-venture power plant from Bangladesh, they will examine those and consult with the central government for moving forward.

"Nature has given resources here in Tripura. If my neighbour can benefit from this, what is the problem in helping the neighbour?" he said.

"If I don't do so, how will there be a friendship? Friendship does not happen only in words. It is sometimes give and take. I'll give and I'll get, and sometimes it is not a question whether I'll get or not," he said adding, "If I have something surplus and I don't have any problem, what's wrong in giving that to my next door neighbour who is in problems regarding power?"

He however said, "We have to see how the central government takes this."

Bangladesh is looking to expand the market for its goods, and Tripura can be a market for Bangladeshi businesses, he said.

"We need a lot of daily essentials that we now get from other ends of India which becomes costly. We could get many of those essentials from Bangladesh for cheap," Manik Sarkar said.

About Bangladeshi entrepreneurs' allegation that the Indian visa regime for them is too tough and sometimes quite harassing, the Tripura chief minister said the regime should be eased for Bangladeshis.

Asked about Bangladeshi business's position regarding bilateral relations with Tripura, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries President AK Azad told The Daily Star yesterday, "I will write to the chief minister and the industries and commerce minister of Tripura tomorrow urging them to come to Bangladesh shortly with their business delegates to carry on follow up discussions on the possibility of investment for setting up a joint-venture power plant and an export processing zone there."

He said Tripura has huge natural resources for power generation that Bangladesh does not have, adding that a bypass road to Agartala border has been developed in the Bangladesh territory, and the railway has been upgraded for business with the neighbouring Indian state.

He also said they already informed the Indian High Commission in Dhaka that Bangladeshi entrepreneurs are facing difficulties in obtaining Indian visa, and the high commission told them that they will sit with the business community and Bangladesh foreign ministry officials soon regarding the matter, to figure out how to make obtaining business visas much easier.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=218576

Chittagong top manpower exporter in 2011

Sun, Jan 22nd, 2012 9:42 pm BdST

Chittagong, Jan 22 (bdnews24.com)—Chittagong has again come out on top of the districts that exported manpower last year, sending more than 73,000 workers abroad –nearly twice the figure of the previous year.

Officials have dubbed the trend 'a positive sign' amidst the ongoing global recession, as remittance sent in by non-resident Bangladeshis constitutes a large section of the country's total earnings.

Records of Chittagong's employment and manpower office show that 40,000 workers, including 29,000 who registered with the district office, went abroad in 2010.

In 2011, the number hiked to 73,433, including 122 women, of which 53,481 registered at the district office, while the rest enlisted with the central office of the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) in Dhaka.

"Chittagong's contribution to the country's total manpower export is 568,000. Most of these workers come from Chittagong," the district office's assistant director Jahirul Alam Majumder told bdnews24.com.

He added that the coastal district had also contributed the highest to the total of 390,000 last year.

A total of 388,496 workers went to different countries including those of the Middle East from the coastal district from January 2004 to December 2011.

Nearly 1.5 million from Chittagong are working abroad currently. Most of them are in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait.

According to the Bangladesh Bank website, the total remittance received from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK, Kuwait and the USA was the highest during the first half of the current fiscal. The district office of BMET, however, failed to give information about Chittagong workers' contribution to the earning.

"The size of exported manpower was nearly 850,000 in 2007-2008. Though the export was decreasing for the global economic crisis, it started rising recently," Chittagong University professor Moinul Islam, also the former president of Bangladesh Economic Association, told bdnews24.com.

"It's helpful for the national economy. Hopefully the upward trend will continue," he added.

According to the Bangladesh Bank, the total remittance inflow was approximately $ 6.07 billion during the first half of the current fiscal (July-December) while the amount was $5.5 billion during the same period last fiscal year.

Prof Islam said most of the workers going abroad now are unskilled and less skilled manpower. "If we can send half-trained, fully-trained and professional workers and encourage them to remit through legal process, the remittance will increase more."

"Maximum workers from Chittagong manage visa through personal contacts or relative-neighbours in stead of government channel," BMET assistant director Jahirul said, dubbing the coastal area as 'the district of expatriates'.

The BMET says new opportunities to export manpower in different countries including Malaysia, Iraq and Lebanon, through government channels will be created this year.

bdnews24.com/cm/mc/rn/ost/sh/2021h

http://biz.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=216628&cid=4&us=0tc2jesh4bc41u5rqm92cn7qu1

Investment in EPZs mark remarkable growth

18 January 2012

Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has achieved a remarkable growth in investment, export and employment during the first six months of the current fiscal 2011-2012 and also in the first three years of the present government, says a release.

The total amount of actual investment in BEPZA in the first six months of the current fiscal 2011-2012 stands at US$ 184.38 million, which is 81.46% higher than the actual investment made (101.61million) in the same period of the previous fiscal.

In the first six months of the financial year 2010-2011, the total amount of proposed investment was US$ 285.03 million against the total amount of proposed investment of US$ 468.13 million for the same period of the current financial year 2011-2012. During this period 33 enterprises have signed lease agreement for setting up their industry in different EPZs.

During the first three years of the present government US$ 750.76 million actual investment has been made in BEPZA. During the first three years 170 new industries have been approved for setting up their industry in the EPZs of Bangladesh.

There has been a 25.65 % growth in export during the first 6 months in 2011-2012 financial years compared to that of the same period of 2010-2011 financial year. The industries in the EPZs exported goods worth US$ 2.020 billion during the first six months in 2011-2012 financial year, which was US$ 1.60 billion in the same period of 2010- 2011 financial year. The export target of BEPZA for 2011- 2012 financial year is US$ 4.00 billion.

During the first three years of the present government the enterprises of EPZ exported goods worth US$ 9.686 billion which was 17 % of the national export. There has been a 51.00 % growth compared to the export of previous three years which was US$ 6.414 billion.

The enterprises of the EPZs have directly employed 16,637 Bangladeshi nationals in the first six months of the current financial year, which is 12.12 % more than the previous year (2010-2011). In the first six months of the financial year 2010-2011, a total of 14,855 Bangladeshi nationals were employed in the EPZs.

http://www.daily-sun.com/?view=details&type=daily_sun_news&pub_no=17&cat_id=1&menu_id=3&news_type_id=1&news_id=3215&archiev=yes&arch_date=18-01-2012

Billet export to Tripura for first time

Although Bangladesh imports billet from different countries including India for production of MS rod, a private re-rolling mill in Chittagong for the first time has exported billet to an Indian state.

Islam Steel Mills of Nasirabad industrial area in Chittagong has exported a consignment of billet, the raw material for manufacturing the vital construction material yesterday, concerned sources said.

"A small consignment of billet reached Agartala through Akhaura land border today," Ali Ahmed, chief commercial officer (CCO) of Islam Steel Mills Ltd told the FE Sunday afternoon.

He said the consignment of 18 metric tonnes of billet has been exported to a newly built steel mill in Agartala, the capital of Tripura state of India.

"I have learnt that the consignment has reached Agartala this morning. The consignment was exported through Akhaura border by truck two days ago from our mill at Nasirabad in the city," Ali Ahmed said.

He said the importer is the lone steel rod producer in Agartala. They made the offer after visiting the billet plant in Chittagong and asked for a small consignment initially which will be followed by further orders for shipment, he said.

Director of the Export Promotion Bureau in Chittagong region said it was the first ever export of billet to India probably from Bangladesh.

Islam Steel Mills CCO Ali Ahmed said they generally produce billet for their own steel rod manufacturing factory. Their billet plant has an annual production capacity of 70,000 metric tonnes.

The plant might have to be expanded in near future because they would need more billet for consumption in their mill and also export to the neighbouring Indian northeast states, he said.

He said that India is one of the major global suppliers of billet but the import of billet from the western Indian states will not be economically feasible for the eastern states due to excessive transportation cost.

A truck laden with cargo from other steel-plant rich areas of India will take a week to reach Tripura while it will take only three days from Bangladesh, he added.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=124082&date=2012-03-20

Local Industry Exports Solar Panel to Malaysia

Bangladesh has entered in the era of exporting solar panel as against huge quantity of import of the product from China in the recent years.

Customs export sources said that Greenfinity Energy Ltd, a local private manufacturer, has exported the non-traditional high-tech solar panel to Malaysia in a limited scale.

Greenfinity said it has exported customized mono-crystalline solar panel worth about US$ 0.1 million, the first consignment in the first week of March 2012, followed by a few small consignments, the first ever export of the item by any local manufacturer in the country.

Sources said they are expecting more supply orders from Malaysia as the country uses solar energy in cars, street lights, lab research, close circuit camera, residential buildings, surveillance schemes and many others.

The existing production of the country's six manufacturing plants of solar panel of different sizes and capacity ranges 160 megawatt to 170 megawatt while the total consumption stands at nearly 70 megawatt, sources said.

When contacted, Golam Baki Masud, managing director of Greenfinity Energy Ltd, told the FE this afternoon that his company is also expecting supply orders from Middle East countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and Myanmar.

He said that Malaysia produces good quality solar panel but the companies in the country find our products cost-effective and of good quality.

"We have received further orders from the country and the consignment will be exported by the first week of July," he said.

Mr. Masud said he has sent samples of solar panel to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait also as per their query. The Middle East countries may place orders for supply of the product, he said.

Huge quantity of low quality solar penal are being imported in Bangladesh from China without test when the country produces more than double the demand. The country does not have any testing facility of solar panel which is unfortunate. It is learnt that country like Nepal does not import solar penal without test.

He said that minimum longevity of quality solar panel is 20-25 years but the imported penals start loosing its power within one or two years.

The Indian government has already banned import of poly-crystalline and mono-crystalline penal, and will stop importing solar cells from 2013, he said and demanded ban on import of finished solar panel in Bangladesh to safeguard the local industry.

The solar panel manufacturing plant set up at Patenga in the port city last year, has emerged to spearhead the encouraging green energy solutions, especially through producing high quality mono-crystalline and poly-crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules of various sizes according to the needs of the people at affordable cost.

The plant went into commercial production in June 2011 after getting its employees trained by experts from Japan and Malaysia.

The Greenfinity installed the first solar testing lab (1 MW) to Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) in Dhaka apart from providing solar panel and services to various government, semi-government and private organizations including seven cadet colleges of the country.

News Source:
http://energybangla.com

Bhutan lifts ban on import of fruit juice, energy drinks from Bangladesh

Bhutan has lifted a restriction it imposed about two months back on importing a number of products from Bangladesh and some other countries, official sources said.

The products include all types of fruit juices and energy drinks. These items being exported from Bangladesh to Bhutan are now becoming increasingly popular among Bhutanese consumers. A number of country's manufacturers now export these farm products to Bhutan.

The ban on the remaining items, other than all types of fruit juices and energy drinks, will remain unchanged, a trade official said.

Bhutan in late April imposed a ban on importing motor vehicles, furniture, all types of juices and energy drinks, wine, beer and liquor, chips, noodles, cakes and wafers. Bhutan took the decision to address its depleting foreign exchange reserve.

After the banning order, Dhaka asked Thimpu to lift the restriction arguing that the measure was contrary to certain provision of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) officials said they had already informed the exporters concerned including 'PRAN' relating to the latest decision of Bhutanese government.

Country's export of fruit juice and energy drinks to Bhutan is almost half of its total export earnings, which is worth $3.12 million per annum to the Himalayan kingdom, according to trade statistics.

The export items from Bangladesh to Bhutan include ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, melamine, toilet soap, dry food, fruit juice, energy drinks and mineral water.

News Source:
Financial Express

Pran exports rise 65pc in Q1

Suman Saha

Agro-processor Pran's exports rose more than 65 percent to $22 million in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period a yea ago, boosted by aggressive overseas marketing and diversified products.

The company's exports rose 47 percent to $53 million in 2011 from a year ago. Pran plans to reach the export volume to $100 million this year, said Kamruzzaman Kamal, marketing director of PRAN-RFL Group.

Currently, the group exports products to over 83 countries where India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Malaysia are its top five export destinations, he said.

PRAN-RFL is the first Bangladeshi company to run commercials on an Indian television channel through sponsoring a reality show.

“We see India as a very potential market for Bangladesh and we need to create a strong foothold for the brands there. That's why we have decided to promote the brands in Indian channels,” Kamal said.

“Moreover, Bangladeshi TV channels don't have any penetration in India. That's why we don't have any other option but to use foreign channels.”

The agro-processor sells all its products, including juice and drinks, snacks, biscuits and confectionery, bakery and culinary items, in Indian and Bangladeshi markets.

The company aims to strengthen its international business with the launch of customised brand building activities along with diversified products.

Source: The Daily Star: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=240949

Pran exports rise 65pc in Q1

Suman Saha

Agro-processor Pran's exports rose more than 65 percent to $22 million in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period a yea ago, boosted by aggressive overseas marketing and diversified products.

The company's exports rose 47 percent to $53 million in 2011 from a year ago. Pran plans to reach the export volume to $100 million this year, said Kamruzzaman Kamal, marketing director of PRAN-RFL Group.

Currently, the group exports products to over 83 countries where India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Malaysia are its top five export destinations, he said.

PRAN-RFL is the first Bangladeshi company to run commercials on an Indian television channel through sponsoring a reality show.

“We see India as a very potential market for Bangladesh and we need to create a strong foothold for the brands there. That's why we have decided to promote the brands in Indian channels,” Kamal said.

“Moreover, Bangladeshi TV channels don't have any penetration in India. That's why we don't have any other option but to use foreign channels.”

The agro-processor sells all its products, including juice and drinks, snacks, biscuits and confectionery, bakery and culinary items, in Indian and Bangladeshi markets.

The company aims to strengthen its international business with the launch of customised brand building activities along with diversified products.

Source: The Daily Star: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=240949

That's very good to learn. Bangladesh made consumer products are finally making successful forays internationally.

That's very good to learn. Bangladesh made consumer products are finally making successful forays internationally.

I hear ya..I saw Pran muri in a Pakistani grocery store here in Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Apparel shipments to China rise 100pc
Exports also increase significantly to other BRIC countries
Print Edition

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MONDAY, 27 AUGUST 2012 AUTHOR / SOURCE : ZIAUR RAHMAN

DHAKA, AUG 26: Apparel exports to less conventional destinations posted a robust growth in the last fiscal despite the global economic crisis that sweeps over most of the developed countries including USA and the EU. The entrepreneurs, mostly the apparel makers had been looking for new markets due to the longer than earlier anticipated financial crisis and received good responses.

Garment makers said they started foraging markets in the face of shrinking demand for apparel items because of the global recession that intensified in recent days. The aggressive marketing drive is now paying off, they added.
Although export growth is phenomenal for the new destinations, it is not that high in terms of value compared with the traditional markets, according to statistics compiled by the BGMEA and BKMEA, the two major associations of apparel manufacturers.

Of the total revenue of US$19.089 billion from garment exports in the last fiscal (2011-12), US$1.326 billion came from 9 new destinations, showing a 53.26 percent rise from a year ago. Markets except the USA, Europe and Canada, which import more than 90 percent of Bangladeshi garments, are considered the new export destinations.

Of the total earnings from the sector, US$ 11.375 billion came from Europe, US$ 4.529 billion from the US and $ 874.85 million from Canada in the last fiscal (2011-12). Other countries accounted for US$ 1.598 billion.

Among the new destinations, an unexpected growth took place in the case of China that registered a growth of 97.91 per cent. According to statistics, Bangladeshi apparels worth about US$ 104.52 million were exported to China in last fiscal as against US$ 52.81 million in the previous year.

The global buyers once considered China as &ldquo;the place to be&rdquo; for outsourcing, but they are now switching their focus to Bangladesh with bigger targets. Japan is also becoming a highly potential market for Bangladeshi ready-made garments because of their quality and lower cost, according to the industry insiders. Country's RMG export to Japan has increased by 63.34 per cent in last fiscal, shows the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data.

Bangladesh RMG export to Japan reached at US$ 403.65 million in the last fiscal as against US$ 247.51 million in the previous year marking a growth of 63.34 per cent. The demand for Bangladeshi RMG in Japanese market has been increasing significantly, said Moahammad Hatem, vice president Bangladesh Knitwear and manufacturers Association (BKMEA).
Bangladesh RMG export to Korea also marked a 69.47 per cent growth in last fiscal. According to sources, apparel products worth about US$ 80.01 million was exported to South Korea in 2011-12 as against US$ 47.21 million in the previous fiscal.
The Australian market also experienced a growth of 59.42 per cent. According to statistics, RMG worth about US$ 307.54 million was shipped to Australia in the last fiscal as against US$ 192.9 million in the previous fiscal.

Bangladesh apparel export to India, Russia and Brazil also experienced a robust growth of 53.08 per cent, 43.63 per cent and 35.01 per cent respectively, shows the EPB data. Export to Chile and South Africa also witnessed a healthy growth of 30.93 per cent and 15.13 per cent respectively.

Among the emerging countries RMG export to Turkey, however, experienced a reverse trend as the country imposed &ldquo;safeguard duty&rdquo; at a rate of 17 per cent on apparel imports from the least developed countries including Bangladesh. The decision came into effect from September last year.

BSS adds: Salahuddin Mahmud, director general of EPB said a number of delegations comprising representatives from trade bodies and government officials recently visited the anticipated destinations.

&ldquo;Russia could be the potential market for Bangladeshi apparel and frozen foods including shrimp,&rdquo; said he.

Referring to the non-tariff barriers (NTBs) on both Dhaka and Moscow sides, the EPB official said a process is underway to remove the NTBs to scoop out huge export potential of Russian market.

The bureau is also giving special emphasis on China and Japan for Bangladesh&rsquo;s export destination, he said. China was the first option for Japanese import but Japan is now opting for alternatives for outsourcing as China is now producing high-end products, he added. &ldquo;We should make our efforts to have huge volume of export like RMG to widen our export basket,&rdquo; said EPB DG.

Talking to the news agency, Mustafizur Rahman, executive director of Centre for Policy Dialogue, said two ways&mdash;inner RMG and outer RMG - are the key to diversify products.

&ldquo;We need to go for producing middle segment from low-end products, improving fashion, design and multi-tasking and upgrading workers&rsquo; skill and quality control, those are inner RMG sector,&rdquo; he said.

On the other hand, Prof Mustafiz said, outer RMG means products&mdash;leather, footwear, shrimp and jute and jute goods, plastic, melamine, cement and shipbuilding and footwear.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has thanked the government for introducing Bangladesh High Commission (HC) in Brazil considering Readymade Garment (RMG) export potential to Brazil.
BGMEA acting president M Siddiqur Rahman Sunday met Bangladesh&rsquo;s High Commissioner to Brazil M Shameem Ahsan at the association&rsquo;s head office on Sunday, said a BGMEA release.

http://www.theindependentbd.com/business/others/128030-apparel-shipments-to-china-rise-100pc.html

Bangladesh competes with Japan and China for ship exports 24 August 2012

Bangladesh is known mostly as a shipbreaking nation, with dozens of ageing container vessels heading towards its southern coast for scrap.

However, in recent years it has also emerged as a shipbuilding country.
Shipbuilding yards in Bangladesh are now exporting small and medium-sized ships for the highly competitive European market.

Since 2008, Bangladeshi yards have manufactured and exported ferries, cargo vessels, and ocean-going multi-purpose ships worth more than $500m (£320m).

The vessels were built for countries including Denmark, Germany and Finland.

The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan reports from Chittagong on Bangladesh's attempts to challenge the world's shipbuilding giants China, Japan and South Korea http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19364666

Outlook for exports brightens

Analysts highlight Bangladesh's prospects at a Citi roundtable in Hong Kong

Monday, September 24, 2012
Star Business Desk

Bangladesh is taking a growing share of the global export market of textiles, footwear and many hard goods, said a senior official of a globally-reputed professional services firm.

While China remains the leading exporter of such products, other large Asian markets such as India and Indonesia are taking a growing share of the market, said Nick Debnam, regional chairman for consumer markets practice of KPMG Asia Pacific.

Rising costs and a tightening labour market are leading global consumer markets executives to reassess their sourcing strategies and explore new locations across Asia, he said at a roundtable on the outlook of sourcing in Bangladesh: potential for growth, key opportunities and requirements.

Citi has recently organised the event in Hong Kong to create a platform for brainstorming the issues that the country and the industry face, according to a statement of the bank.

The increasingly complex requirements of supporting supply chains mean that established sourcing locations, including those in China, will still have an advantage in certain product categories, Debnam said.

Many sourcing executives recognise that they must accept and manage their continued reliance on China through closer collaboration and automation.

Some sourcing activity has moved closer to end-markets over the past three years driven by high transportation costs, concerns over further carbon taxes, and the development of centralised approaches to inventory, he said.

However, the overall volumes sourced from Asia are unlikely to diminish, particularly as Asia's domestic consumer markets are growing rapidly.

While letters of credit have largely been eclipsed by open account trading as a means of financing trade out of Asia, the global financial crisis did expose some counterparty issues which are now being addressed through new trade settlement mechanisms.

Sustainability is a particularly high priority for consumer markets organisations, as evidenced by the relatively high proportion that has adopted a sustainability reporting mechanism or strategy, Debnam said.

"It is now a principal driver for greater visibility across the supply chain."

He stressed the need for managing more savings opportunities and compliance risks, as consumer organisations look to source from a greater number of countries, and interact with a growing number of customs authorities and regulations.

The growth or change of scope of sourcing activity in certain markets could alter tax exposures, especially where there is more value being added through product development and testing at the source, Debnam said.

He said many organisations have invested significantly in technology to enable their procurement process and lighten their inventory burden, while some have reached the appropriate balance on cost, return and risks.

Debnam said others are still facing the challenge of aligning their technology investment with the overall procurement strategy.

Hassan Zaman, senior adviser to the governor of Bangladesh Bank, said Bangladesh outperforms most of its regional peers with an average growth rate of 6.2 percent over the past five years.

Economic growth remained strong despite the global economic slowdown, he said.

Zaman said the last decade (fiscal year 2000-10) witnessed strong growth, more than doubling in per capita income and a 572 percent increase in forex reserves.

The decade also experienced steady expansion in lending to the private sector, massive consolidation of external government debt and a material decline in the fiscal deficit, he said.

Rapid GDP (gross domestic product) growth and urbanisation led to rising returns to human and physical assets.

This has also resulted in rising labour productivity and wages, shift from low return agricultural labour to non-farm employment and growth in export industries, according to Zaman.

Bangladesh also witnessed increasing flow of remittances and increases in labour force participation and educational attainment, particularly among women.

The country has not defaulted on its internal or external debt obligations despite the Asian and global financial crises, numerous political upheavals and countless natural disasters.

Bangladesh government recognises the crucial role of infrastructure in supporting economic development. The government has taken a number of steps to address the current gaps, including allocation of close to 35 percent of budget to physical infrastructure -- energy and communication -- in fiscal 2012.

Power and energy sector received allocation of Tk 8,311 crore -- 5.1 percent of the total budget of FY12 -- a 36 percent increase over the previous year's allocation, he said.

The economy continues to achieve broad-based, robust economic growth expanding by 6.8 percent in FY11, Zaman said.

New data shows poverty declined by nearly 50 percent in the last two decades, he said.

"Although, inflation has been an issue, our monetary policy was restrained enough to tackle inflation but leaves adequate room for growth-enhancing private sector credit," he said.

"Our fiscal policy remained prudent with budget deficit projected around 4.5 percent in FY12. The government's debt servicing indicators are also improving."

Zaman said policy initiatives continue to focus on expanding infrastructure for medium run growth.

Arshad Jamal Dipu, chairman of Tusuka Group and director for research and policy of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, presented a snapshot of progresses, opportunities and challenges faced by the garments industry.

Bangladesh's garment export market has been growing steadily over the last 10 years, he said.

Growth of exports has led to growth of garment factories and growth in employment, Dipu said, adding that apparel exports contributed to 16.03 percent of GDP in FY 2010-11.

The sector is contributing significantly to achieving the millennium development goals, and enhanced trade has helped the country move out from the dependence on aid, he said.

There are also positive social impacts in promoting gender equality -- increased participation of women in the labour force -- and eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, he said.

According to a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis, key strengths of the garment industry include competitive pricing, an international standard quality control process, 30 years of experience in garment manufacturing and a rapidly developing backward linkage industry.

Major weaknesses include shortage of skilled workforce and a lack of adequate training facilities, high migration of workers, infrastructural bottlenecks and power and energy inadequacy.

Opportunities of the garment sector are global sourcing reconfiguration and market growth, functional upgradation in the value chain, market diversification, product diversification, and better market access.

A key threat is that apparel imports are falling in major markets, including the US and the EU.

Apparel import prices are declining in the US markets and Bangladesh's exports may suffer due to export market concentration in the US and the EU.

Growing bilateral and regional trade agreements may also erode Bangladesh's preference margin.

There are also growing concerns over cotton security and negative propaganda in international NGOs and news media regarding the state of labour in Bangladesh.

Rashed Maqsood, managing director and country officer of for Bangladesh, said Bangladesh was identified as one of the 11 countries which have the most promising growth prospects over the next few decades.

Bangladesh is likely to thrive in a globally integrated economy, with high growth rates and high returns to investment during the coming decades, he said.

"This forecast also incorporates some key features critical to sustained rapid growth, such as very young population with low median age," Maqsood said, adding that there is a wide consensus of adopting market-based policies across political and social spectrum.

One of the most glaring examples of the entrepreneurial private sector is the RMG industry in Bangladesh, he said.

Over the last three decades, the industry has blossomed and survived several challenges, including the removal of quota system and the recent global financial crisis, he said.

"This has made Bangladesh currently the second largest producer in this sector."

There are challenges related to infrastructure and capacity development, corporate governance, labour relations and many others, Maqsood said.

"To meet these challenges, we need to think with panoramic view to address long-term issues integrating various stakeholders' views."

Maqsood and Carmen Ling, head of Citi Hong Kong Transaction Services, moderated the discussion.

Christophe Bataille, finance director of Tesco International Sourcing Ltd, and Thomas Nelson, managing director of VF Corporation Asia, were also present.

News source:
The Daily Star

Runner plans to export motorcycles next year

Monday, September 24, 2012
Star Business Report

Runner Automobiles Ltd, a concern of the local Runner Group, intends to export motorcycles from the middle of next year.

Its potential markets include the north-eastern states of India, Nepal and some African countries.

The company yesterday signed an agreement with China's Dayang Motorcycles Ltd for technical support for the next 10 years.

Runner, which started assembling motorcycles at its plant at Bhaluka in 2007, will start designing its own motorcycles in 2014, said Hafizur Rahman Khan, the chairman of Runner Automobiles Ltd, at the agreement signing ceremony.

For the local market the company will use the brand name of Dayang-Runner, while for overseas markets it will be the brand name of Runner, Khan said.

Annually, Bangladesh imports motorcycles and spare parts worth $300 million, and according to Khan, the demand is on a steady rise.

“If our plant can start designing and manufacturing of motorcycles, the country will be able to save the dollars,” he said.

At present, the company produces 200 motorcycles a day, with plans to hit the three lakh-mark motorcycles annually from 2015.

The company currently manufactures headlights, backlights and other parts of a motorcycle, and has plans in place to manufacture motorcycle seats and chains as well.

In 2011 the company sold a total of 48,000 pieces of motorcycles in Bangladesh, Mamunur Rashid, Runner's head of sales, revealed.

Annually, a total of 3.5 lakh pieces of motorcycles are sold in the country, according to Rashid, with the growth of motorcycles business year-on-year in Bangladesh being 25 percent.

Runner has a 15 percent market share of the motorcycle market in Bangladesh, while the market leader Uttara Motorcycle which sells the Indian Bajaj-branded motorcycles has a 35 percent market share.

Rashid predicts the sales of motorcycles will be low in 2012, with the sales figure to be around the region of 2.5 lakh cycles.

“We need a long-term policy support from the government for the growth of motorcycle industry in the country,” said Khan.

The newly-appointed State Minister for Industries Omor Faruk Chowdhury said the country needs more than one industrial policy.

“We also need regional industrial policy,” he added.

Liu Botao, chief executive officer of Dayang Motorcycles, said the agreement heralds a new era of cooperation between the two companies.

Runner Automobiles started its business as a distributing company of Dayang Motors with only Tk 1.5 crore paid-up capital in 2000.

In 2011, the company won recognition from the government as a full-fledged manufacturing plant on 100 bighas in Bhaluka, employing 500 people.

Garment exports to US surge

Refayet Ullah Mirdha

The falling prices of Bangladeshi wares and the rebounding American economy bid well for the country's readymade garment exports to the US.

The global fall in cotton prices and the rising productivity of Bangladeshi workers thanks to technological upgrade in factories, account for the lower prices.

Consequently, international buyers are increasing their orders from Bangladesh, industry insiders said.

Bangladesh's RMG exports to the US in July-August stood at $892.63 million, up from $869.80 million in the same period last year, data from Export Promotion Bureau showed.

In July, the volume of Bangladeshi apparel reaching US shores jumped 21.5 percent from a year earlier, the fastest growth in a year and a half. A key factor behind this increase is lower average landed costs -- an 8.3 percent decline from a year earlier, the biggest drop in 27 months.

&ldquo;The higher export to the US is a positive sign for Bangladesh,&rdquo; said Ahsan H Mansur, executive director of Policy Research Institute.

Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, a former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said garment exports to the US will continue to rise as China is losing its competitiveness due to labour shortage and higher production costs.

China is shifting its productions from basic to high-end segment of the garment market, providing Bangladesh the opportunity to consolidate its already strong standing in the basic segment of the market.

Source: The Daily Star: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=252493

Bangladesh exports rose 31 percent yr/yr in September

Tuesday, 09 October 2012
Posted by Imaduddin
DHAKA

Bangladesh's exports rose in September for the third month in a row thanks to improving garment orders, official data showed on Tuesday.

Exports jumped 31.3 percent in September from a year earlier to $1.9 billion, the Export Promotion Bureau said. Total exports for July-September, the first quarter of Bangladesh's financial year, were up 2.1 percent to $6.29 billion.

From March through June, Bangladesh's monthly exports were lower than the previous year.

In September, exports of ready-made garments were $1 billion in September, compared with $995 million in the same month of 2011. For the three months ended in September, garment exports totalled $4.99 billion, 3.8 percent more than a year earlier.

Garment orders were slowly picking up from buyers such as the United States, China and Japan, said Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury, former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), which represents the country's 4,500 garment factories.

However, he said garment exports in the current fiscal year will be less than 10 percent higher than a year earlier due to the slowdown in global economy.

For the financial year ended June 30, garment exports rose 6.6 percent to $19 billion while total exports increased 5.9 percent to $24.3 billion - short of a government's $26.5 billion target as garment demand from key Western markets waned.

The government set an export target of $28 billion for the fiscal year that began on July 1.

In recent years, there's been a dramatic shift in global garment orders from China to lower-cost Bangladesh, whose garment factories employ around 4 million workers, mostly women.

Bangladesh's low labour costs have helped it join the global supply chain for low-end clothing, making garments for companies such as H&M, Tesco, JC Penney, Wal-Mart, Kohl's, Marks & Spencer and Carrefour.

Source:
Business Recorder

^^Thats very good news indeed!

Top apparel exporter' status beckons Bangladesh
Industry insiders fret over readiness

Monira Munni

Global buyers are now turning their focus onto Bangladesh for long-term apparel sourcing as the country has the potential to supply quality garment products. It can also beat China to become the largest exporting country, industry insiders said.

The cost of production has gone up significantly in the competing countries, especially in China, and Bangladesh is becoming more popular with the buyers for the affordable apparel prices here.

High officials of many top global retailers, including H & M, Inditex, Tesco and Gap, visited the country recently in a bid to source more apparel products from Bangladesh, they said.

"Bangladesh has an ample opportunity to become the number one exporting country as we have a large work force the competing countries don't have," Siddiqur Rahman, Chairman of Sterling Group, told the FE.

During the last few months, high officials from the top global apparel buyers visited the country to see whether Bangladesh was ready to seize the scope, Mr Rahman, who is also the second vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said.

He said China was facing a shortage of manpower and higher production costs. Moreover, the present generation there is no longer interested in garment business.

China with the 30 per cent share of the global apparel market emerged the leader, he said. But because of the high cost of production its apparel manufacturing is declining by 5 per cent every year.

"So who will replace China?" he said, adding that Bangladesh with the less than 5 per cent stake in the global market is now in the second position and has every chance to be the number one exporting country.

He praised the country's entrepreneurs and workers for bringing about the change.

"They are hard-working, resilient, innovative and patient. That is the most selling point Bangladesh has. In the garments sector, they are professional and they understand the needs of the buyers. This is the area of real potential lying ahead for Bangladesh,"

Chief Executive Officer of the world's second largest clothing retailer, H & M, Karl-Johan Persson during his Dhaka visit in September last said Bangladesh was heading in the right direction. If Bangladesh, he added, continued to be a sustainable market, more and more buyers would come here to source their products as the future is very bright.

He said H&M wanted to continue buying more from Bangladesh under the plan to raise it by 10 to 15 per cent annually.

The largest importer buys products worth over one billion dollars from Bangladesh.

Another retail giant-the Spanish Inditex-lent financial support for setting up a testing laboratory, the BGMEA leader said. It was not a charity, he added.

The global fashion retailer Gap Inc also announced a comprehensive building and fire safety action plan to improve building and fire safety standards in Bangladesh, he said, adding "They are here to do business in the long run."

Few months back a high-powered Chinese delegation also visited the country to explore both the export and investment potentiality here in Bangladesh, another exporter said adding they were receiving quarries from many foreign buyers.

A Razzak Sattar, Managing Director of Utah Group, said, "If we don't have infrastructures, how can we take the opportunity?"

Echoing the BGMEA leaders, AH Aslam Sunny, second vice president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said to cope with the growing demand, the sector needed investment and backward linkage support and the priority should be to develop infrastructures.

"If we fail to take the initiative from China, many other third countries like Vietnam, Indonesia and Myanmar will take the chance," he explained.

Both the BGMEA and BKMEA leaders said it is impossible to grab the opportunity with the industry running in a scattered way.

"Infrastructural development, including improving gas and electricity supplies, is a must," Mr Sunny said adding the entrepreneurs could develop an industrial park, if the government provided them with the land, the price of which is skyrocketing.

Garment manufacturing is the country's largest export earning sector which fetches nearly 80 per cent of the total export earnings. The sector earned $19.08 billion in the 2011-12 fiscal year amid a global financial meltdown.

News Source:
The Financial Express

Belarus giving duty-free access to goods


Sun, Nov 11th, 2012 9:43 pm BdST

Dhaka, Nov 11 (bdnews24.com)—New opportunities have been opened for Bangladesh to enter Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan as Belarus is going to provide duty-free market access for all Bangladeshi products, says Foreign Minister Dipu Moni.

"Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan are members of a single customs union and Bangladeshi products can enter the markets as Belarus is providing duty-free market access," she told journalists after a meeting with Belarus Prime Minister Mikhail V Myasnikovich at Sonargaon Hotel on Sunday.

The Belarus Prime Minister arrived in Dhaka on a three-day trip in the afternoon and would have a bilateral discussion with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina Monday.

The duty-free announcement is expected to come Monday and both the countries would sign a dozen of agreements and memorandums of understanding during his visit, Moni said.

"Accreditation boards of both the countries would also sign a MoU to pave the way for smooth trade and in addition to that, the private sector of the countries is expected to sign five or six agreements," she added.

Belarus is a new export market for Bangladesh but Dhaka imports a huge volume of fertiliser products from it.

Prime Minister Myasnikovich expressed desire to investment in Bangladesh especially in producing agriculture machinery, the Foreign Minister said.

Minsk is also interested in cooperation in technology and science, skill development and training, Moni said.

"Belarus also showed interest in setting up an engineering university and cooperation among universities of both the countries."

The countries would open up embassies in due course of time but for the time being Bangladesh ambassador to Russia and Belarus ambassador to India would look after the interest of the respected countries, according to Moni.

bdnews24.com

Bangladesh exports hit all-time monthly high of over 2 bln USD in October

Publish By Jane B. Hatcher
12/11/2012

DHAKA, Nov. 11 — Bangladesh grossed the highest ever monthly export income in October, as demand for garment products soared, an official said Sunday.

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) official told Xinhua the country’s export earnings in the last month grew 6.25 percent year on year to exceed 2 billion U.S. dollars mark for the first time. “October exports reached 2,077.33 million U.S. dollars, setting a new record,” said the official who preferred to be unnamed.

He said Bangladesh’s previous highest monthly export income was in September this year when earnings stood at 1,900.89 million U.S. dollars.

According to the official, the pace of growth of Bangladesh’s merchandise exports bolstered in September, suggesting that demand for its ready-made garments in key global markets are increasing.

With hefty export growth in October, he said Bangladesh’s export earning in the first four months of the current 2012-13 fiscal year grew 3.08 percent year on year to 8.368 billion U.S. dollars, said the official quoting EPB data.

Of total earnings, he said the South Asian country’s income from ready-made garment items including knitwear and woven stood at about 6.631 billion U.S. dollars during July-October period of the current fiscal year.

The EPB data showed knitwear export income returned to the positive trend fetching 3,412.99 million U.S. dollars in July- October months with 1.11 percent growth over that in the same period a year earlier. Apart from this, it showed Bangladesh fetched 3,218.34 million U.S. dollars in July-October from export of women garment items in which the country witnessed 10 percent growth year-on-year.

Owing to global market slowdown, the country’s export grew at a moderate pace of less than 6 percent in 2011-12 fiscal year. Bangladesh’s export income in the last fiscal year grew 5.93 percent year on year to reach 24.3 billion U.S. dollars, falling short of the 8.5 percent target.

Souce:Xinhua

Ceramic tableware export to see boom from May '13

Published : Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Jasim Uddin Haroon

The export of local ceramic tableware, now hit hard by the eurozone crisis, is likely to experience a boom from May 2013, as the proposed European Commission's (EC) anti-dumping duties on Chinese products will be implemented from that month.
The EC has proposed imposing anti-dumping duties on import of ceramic tableware to further tighten its trade defense against Chinese exporters.
According to leading ceramic manufacturers, execution of the anti-dumping duties will fuel strong demand of local ceramic tableware in the 27-member European Union (EU), where production of such items is now expensive.
China is the EU's second biggest trading partner after the US, and the bloc is the biggest consumer of China's ceramic tableware.
"We're expecting to capture the lion's share of the global ceramic market after implementation of the EC's decision," said Rizvi Ul Kabir, chief operating officer of Shinepukur Ceramics, Bangladesh's largest ceramics tableware producer.
Mr Rizvi, whose company sends nearly 50 per cent of the country's total tableware shipment, said: "We're expanding our plants to cope with that demand."
The ceramic sector in the country has every potential to grow further, and it will soon emerge as a major foreign exchange earner in the coming years, Mr Rizvi added.
With the increasing demand of ceramic products at home and abroad, all major Bangladeshi ceramic companies are now expanding their plants. Besides Shinepukur, other major players, like - Paragon, Farr and Protik, are also expanding their plants.
"Our capacity will be 24 tonnes per day equivalent to the second largest player - Monno Ceramics - after our latest expansion is completed," said Ashek Alam, executive director of Paragon Ceramics.
The county's ceramic tableware sector has been clocking a robust growth of 12-15 per cent over the last five-six years. However, the growth came to a halt due to economic turmoil in the Eurozone.
Leading manufacturers said exploring new destinations and higher consumption in the domestic market somewhat have compensated it. But the local market is still flooded by the Chinese products.
In Bangladesh, the modern phase of ceramic industry began to thrive in the 90s with some companies exporting their products in the late 90s. Now 15 companies are producing tableware products weighting around 50,000 tonnes a year worth Tk 6.0 billion.
Until the first quarter of this fiscal year (FY 2012-13), ending September, the country's tableware export amounted to US$ 8.0 million, marking 14 per cent negative growth. The export volume was worth $34 million in the previous fiscal.
Local ceramic manufacturers supply 30 per cent of their total produces to the domestic market. Their main markets are the EU nations, where the export value is much higher than the price in the domestic market. At present, Bangladesh is exporting its ceramic products to over 48 countries across the world.
Mr Ashek said domestic demand for their products is gradually increasing, as ceramic tableware are becoming common household items in Bangladesh, especially among the rising upper-middle and middle income groups.
Iftakhar Uddin Forhad, president of Bangladesh Ceramic Wares Manufacturers Association, said: "There was a catastrophe. Our fast growth was halted due to the recession in the EU and the US. But we will rebound after the EC's decision."
He said most of the local ceramic exporters are optimistic regarding their future, believing that they can increase their present share in the multi-billion dollar world market.
Bangladesh's comparative advantage in manufacturing ceramic tableware is its cheap labour forces. As a result, the nation has been gradually capturing the market elbowing out the traditional tableware suppliers, such as - Japan, the UK, Germany and Italy.
Lack of high-level technological support as well as an international standard laboratory is the impediment on further growth of the ceramic sub-sector, he added.
Ceramic products are mainly manufactured with local raw materials, whereas porcelain products are made with imported raw materials.
The major competitors of Bangladesh ceramic companies are mostly Asian countries, like - China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The ceramics industry in Bangladesh began in 1958 with the establishment of Tajma Ceramic Industries Ltd in Bogra. The Pakistan Ceramic Industries Ltd was established in early 1960s, and was renamed Peoples Ceramic Industries Ltd after the independence of Bangladesh.

News Source:
The Financial Express

Dec '12 export earnings grow by 20pc

Published : Friday, 11 January 2013

Monira Munni

Export earnings in December, 2012 grew by about 20 per cent with the highest single month income in the six months of current fiscal that also took the overall overseas merchandise shipment growth to seven per cent.

The country fetched US$ 2.46 billion, marking a robust growth of 19.44 per cent in December, 2012 compared to that of 2011. It (the growth) also surpassed the target set for the month by 2.89 per cent.

Country's overseas merchandise shipments stood at $ 12.59 billion in July-December of fiscal year (FY) 2012-13, up from $ 11.77 billion during the same period of FY 2011-12 though it missed the target by 3.42 per cent, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data.

Exporters and government officials termed the growth satisfactory considering the overall situation including the financial meltdown in the major destinations, Tazreen fire incident, shortage of power and high bank interest rate.

As per the EPB statistics, knitwear fetched $ 4.975 billion showing a 3.85 per cent growth during July-December of the current fiscal compared to the same period of last fiscal while woven garments accounted for $ 4.971 billion marking a healthy growth of 11.53 per cent.

But earnings from the woven sector fell short of its target by 2.36 per cent.

"Despite the recession, the seven per cent growth is a very satisfactory one thanks to the growth in apparel export," Vice Chairman of EPB Shubhashish Bose told the FE Thursday.

Replying to a question over the Tazreen incident, he said, "We don't think that the buyers would turn away from Bangladesh due to the fire incident. We are trying to continue the growth."

If this trend continues, it is possible to achieve the target at the year-end, he expressed his hope.

Explaining the negative growth of some sectors like frozen shrimp, plastic products and raw jute, he said though the supply chain is all right, price and demand for those products are decreasing in the international market because of recession.

"Despite the challenges like inadequate supply of gas and power to the industrial units, higher rate of bank interest, stumbling block to the growth of business; the growth is good news," President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin said. Despite the recession, apparel export is increasing following an increase in orders, he said.

Replying to a query on the devastating fire incident in Tazreen Fashions Ltd in November, he said, "It is too early to have an impact on export. I don't think this incident would hamper the export, though it has created a negative impact on our image."

We hope to overcome the image crisis and repair the damage through the initiatives we have undertaken like short, mid and long-term ones, the BGMEA chief said.

"We can bring back the buyers' confidence through our activities," he said explaining the initiatives such as the plan of the trade body to form a foundation with all stakeholders for the welfare of the children who lost their parents.

Vice President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Md Hatem said orders from foreign buyers were increasing in recent times. "The growth is continuing also due to the rise in export to new markets."

Terming the devastating fire incident that claimed 112 garment workers' lives and injured several others as a turning point, he said the two apparel trade bodies are working together to address the compliance and safety issues in all factories.

He requested the government to find out the factories that are not members of any of the two associations to avoid such fire incident in future.

Former BKMEA president Fazlul Haque said the Tazreen incident has shaken all in the world and in the long term the impact would be devastating.

"It is time to address the issues unitedly including government, owners and the buyers as the buyers also have their responsibility as the big partners," he said.

Earnings from jute and jute goods stood at $ 502.39 million in July-December period of current fiscal marking a growth of 5.30 per cent compared to corresponding period of last fiscal.

The frozen food sector faced a negative growth of nearly 20 per cent during the first half of the current fiscal over that in the corresponding period of last fiscal, and it also fell short of the target by over 11 per cent.

Source: The Financial Express: http://thefinancialexpress-bd.com/index.php?ref=MjBfMDFfMTFfMTNfMV84OV8xNTYzOTY=

Leather industry aims to cross $1b exports

Suman Saha
Friday, January 18, 2013

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2013/01/18/2013-01-18__bs02.jpg

The leather industry aims to cross the $1-billion mark in export earnings this fiscal year as the sector is witnessing a robust demand for leather and leather goods in the global market.

The manufacturers said they will reach the export target at $1.04 billion set by the government for this year.

Their earnings fell short by only 3.58 percent of the last year's target at $792.34 million.

The industry earned $451 million by exporting leather, leather products and footwear during July-December this fiscal year, up by 20 percent compared to the same period last year.

“We are very optimistic about the export growth of leather goods during the current fiscal year as many new buyers from the US are showing interest in our products,” said Tipu Sultan, managing director of Bengal Leather Complex.

The rising labour costs in China have forced the US buyers to come to Bangladesh, he said.

Though the Bangladeshi workers have lower productivity compared to the international standards, they are still competitive.

“We need to pay $180-$200 for two workers a month, while the amount is $400-$450 for each worker in China,” said Sultan.

The exports of leather products made by Bengal Leather Complex rose by 6 percent to Tk 140 crore in fiscal 2011-12.

The company aims a 15 percent growth this year, said Sultan, who is also a former chairman of Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather Goods & Footwear Exporters Association.

Improved quality has helped win confidence of more buyers, said Saiful Islam, a former president of Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh.

“We are receiving an increasing number of queries from Japan as we maintain higher product standards,” said Islam.

Bangladesh exported leather goods worth $73 million during the July-December period, up by 107 percent compared to the same period last year, according to Export Promotion Bureau.

The country registered a higher export growth in leather goods as the companies are now focusing more on value-added products, said Belal Hossain, chairman of Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters' Association.

“We are optimistic about reaching the export target set by the EPB for the leather sector,” said Shaheen Ahmed, a former president of Bangladesh Tanners Association.

He said their competitive prices and higher standards of products have attracted the international buyers.

Bangladesh exports leather products mainly to Italy, New Zealand, Poland, the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, the US, Canada and Spain.

Also, India, Nepal, Australia and some other countries are emerging as the potential importers of Bangladeshi leather goods.

Proper policy support and skills development of the workforce can fuel the growth in exports of leather goods, Islam said.

News Source:
The Daily Star

Leather industry aims to cross $1b exports

Suman Saha
Friday, January 18, 2013

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2013/01/18/2013-01-18__bs02.jpg

The leather industry aims to cross the $1-billion mark in export earnings this fiscal year as the sector is witnessing a robust demand for leather and leather goods in the global market.

The manufacturers said they will reach the export target at $1.04 billion set by the government for this year.

Their earnings fell short by only 3.58 percent of the last year's target at $792.34 million.

The industry earned $451 million by exporting leather, leather products and footwear during July-December this fiscal year, up by 20 percent compared to the same period last year.

“We are very optimistic about the export growth of leather goods during the current fiscal year as many new buyers from the US are showing interest in our products,” said Tipu Sultan, managing director of Bengal Leather Complex.

The rising labour costs in China have forced the US buyers to come to Bangladesh, he said.

Though the Bangladeshi workers have lower productivity compared to the international standards, they are still competitive.

“We need to pay $180-$200 for two workers a month, while the amount is $400-$450 for each worker in China,” said Sultan.

The exports of leather products made by Bengal Leather Complex rose by 6 percent to Tk 140 crore in fiscal 2011-12.

The company aims a 15 percent growth this year, said Sultan, who is also a former chairman of Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather Goods & Footwear Exporters Association.

Improved quality has helped win confidence of more buyers, said Saiful Islam, a former president of Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh.

“We are receiving an increasing number of queries from Japan as we maintain higher product standards,” said Islam.

Bangladesh exported leather goods worth $73 million during the July-December period, up by 107 percent compared to the same period last year, according to Export Promotion Bureau.

The country registered a higher export growth in leather goods as the companies are now focusing more on value-added products, said Belal Hossain, chairman of Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters' Association.

“We are optimistic about reaching the export target set by the EPB for the leather sector,” said Shaheen Ahmed, a former president of Bangladesh Tanners Association.

He said their competitive prices and higher standards of products have attracted the international buyers.

Bangladesh exports leather products mainly to Italy, New Zealand, Poland, the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, the US, Canada and Spain.

Also, India, Nepal, Australia and some other countries are emerging as the potential importers of Bangladeshi leather goods.

Proper policy support and skills development of the workforce can fuel the growth in exports of leather goods, Islam said.

News Source:
The Daily Star

“We need to pay $180-$200 for two workers a month, while the amount is $400-$450 for each worker in China,” said Sultan.

I consider that to be slave labor wages! Why would anybody want to work that hard in a factory these days when they can get just about the same amount, working as domestic help (cook, driver, etc.)?

“We need to pay $180-$200 for two workers a month, while the amount is $400-$450 for each worker in China,” said Sultan.

I consider that to be slave labor wages! Why would anybody want to work that hard in a factory these days when they can get just about the same amount, working as domestic help (cook, driver, etc.)?

The cook and the driver gets 2-3 good meals a day plus bonus/baksheesh all the time. I guess having to work as a servant, even with good pay, is no longer considered desirable due to the stigma of being called a "chakor" or "bua".

The wages quoted are unlivable for Dhaka except if one stays in a slum with a tattered roof and no plumbing. The fact that this Sultan guy is touting our low wages as an enticement is shameful. I know we have a "baker" issue but can't we train these unemployed in skills that will garner better salary and not be dependent on the bottom of the barrel work?

“We need to pay $180-$200 for two workers a month, while the amount is $400-$450 for each worker in China,” said Sultan.

I consider that to be slave labor wages! Why would anybody want to work that hard in a factory these days when they can get just about the same amount, working as domestic help (cook, driver, etc.)?

The cook and the driver gets 2-3 good meals a day plus bonus/baksheesh all the time. I guess having to work as a servant, even with good pay, is no longer considered desirable due to the stigma of being called a "chakor" or "bua".

The wages quoted are unlivable for Dhaka except if one stays in a slum with a tattered roof and no plumbing. The fact that this Sultan guy is touting our low wages as an enticement is shameful. I know we have a "baker" issue but can't we train these unemployed in skills that will garner better salary and not be dependent on the bottom of the barrel work?

Couldn't agree more.

US discount retailer to double its import from Bangladesh
The second largest US discount retailer Target's market expansion plan in Cananda has come as a blessing for Bangladeshi garment manufacturers as the company said it will double its import from the country.

But it did not mention any timeframe for increased import from Bangladesh. Manufacturers said Target imports only five per cent of its total apparel import from Bangladesh while 60 per cent from China and the rest from Cambodia.
Read more (http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/index.php?ref=MjBfMDFfMjBfMTNfMV84OV8xNTc0Njg=)

New markets drive exports

Refayet Ullah Mirdha

Exports rose 3.57 percent month-on-month in January on the back of price competitiveness of Bangladeshi wares.

In January, Bangladeshi exports fetched $2.56 billion, 6.34 percent higher than the monthly target of $2.40 billion, according to data from Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

Year-on-year, the figure is an 18.81 percent increase.

Furthermore, exports increased 8.83 percent year-on-year to $15.15 billion in the first seven months of fiscal 2012-13.

“We are ahead of many countries in terms of price competitiveness. As a result, customers are coming to Bangladesh from other countries,” said Shubhashish Bose, vice-chairman of EPB.

Bose also credited Bangladesh's strong performance in the new markets -- China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Malaysia, South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey and India -- for the rise.

“In near future, I hope the pie of Bangladeshi exports to European countries will increase further as the export trend is looking positive there,” he said, adding that Bangladesh is becoming a strong player in light engineering, pharmaceuticals and ship making.

Of the major products, Bangladesh exported knitwear worth $5.92 and woven wares worth $6.11 billion in the July-January period, a 6.39 percent and 13.57 percent rise respectively year-on-year.

AKM Salim Osman, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said the knitwear sector has been performing “extraordinarily well” recently thanks to higher exports to Japan and Russia.

“The new destinations buoyed the export performance. I hope this will be maintained in to the near future,” he said.

Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, first vice-president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said although exports are on the rise the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facility from the US remains imperative.

“We must retain the GSP facility at any cost, even though it covers very little of the exports to the US. It is a question of our country's image,” Chowdhury said, adding that the garment manufacturers are working sincerely to streamline the safety matters at factories.

Source: The Daily Star: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=268748

Beximco Pharma enters EU market

Published : Tuesday, 12 February 2013

FE Report

Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited has commenced export of medicines to Europe.

This was the very first time a local pharma company exported ophthalmic products to Europe. A signing ceremony was held on the factory premise of Beximco Pharma to mark the first consignment to Europe in presence of high officials of the company and representatives from DHL and Emirates.

Initially two ophthalmic products, Latanoprost and a combination of Latanoprost and Timolol, will be exported to Germany and Austria with other EU countries to follow. Latanoprost and Timolol are used to reduce the pressure inside the eye for people with open-angle glaucoma or intraocular hypertension (increased pressure in the eye). The Company expects to launch additional new products in the EU later this year.

On this occasion, the Managing Director of Beximco Pharma, Nazmul Hassan MP, said:

"Beximco has established a presence in a growing number of markets around the world. The Company is increasingly focused on penetrating large and highly regulated markets such as the EU and US, where the demand for generic products continues to rise. Beximco has developed high quality pharmaceutical facilities in Bangladesh, with a competitive cost structure for manufacturing and exporting generic drugs. This is a combination that is of increasing importance as governments strive to reduce healthcare costs without compromising on quality. We look forward to launching further products in Europe, the 2nd largest pharmaceutical market in the world with sales in excess of US$ 265 billion, and providing patients with safe and affordable treatment options."

Source: The Financial Express: http://thefinancialexpress-bd.com/index.php?ref=MjBfMDJfMTJfMTNfMV84OV8xNTk5MTQ=