The Bangladesh Garment Buying House Association (BGBA) has called on the government, entrepreneurs, buying houses, and international buyers to work together to safeguard the country’s apparel industry amid global economic uncertainty and domestic challenges.
The call came at a discussion titled “Bangladesh’s Readymade Garment Sector: Current Crisis and the Way to Recovery” held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka on Sunday.
BGBA leaders said that although the interim government has set a target of $44.49 bn in apparel exports for the current fiscal year, the industry continues to face multiple crises. Over the past year, 182 garment factories have closed down, leading to declining export orders, job losses, and mounting pressure on loan repayments.
Speakers said the shutdown of even a single factory impacts multiple buying houses, shakes buyer confidence, and tarnishes Bangladesh’s global image. They emphasised the need for stronger coordination among apparel-related trade bodies including BGMEA, BKMEA, BGBA, and BTMA to ensure sector-wide stability.
Former commerce minister and BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury attended the event as chief guest, while BGBA President Mohammad Mofazzal Hossain Pavel presided over the session.
“The readymade garment industry of Bangladesh has already established itself as the world’s second-largest exporter,” said Amir Khasru. He added that with the right policy support and a business-friendly environment,
Bangladesh could soon overtake its competitors.
BGBA President Pavel described buying houses as the backbone of the garment industry, contributing around $12 bn in export orders annually and playing a vital role in sustaining the economy. He said BGBA, founded in 2006 and licensed by the Ministry of Commerce, is a Class-1 member of the FBCCI and currently represents around 1,700 members who collectively contribute $12–15 bn in foreign exchange earnings each year.
According to BGBA, Bangladesh earned $38.48 bn from apparel exports in 2024, securing 6.9% of the global market share. The country ranked second after China with $165.24 bn, followed by Vietnam with $33.94 bn and India with $21 bn.
To overcome the ongoing crisis, BGBA outlined a seven-point recovery plan focusing on strengthening factory safety and compliance with international labour standards, improving infrastructure to ensure on-time shipments, and expediting banking and L/C processes. It also stressed the need for greater use of technology and digital management systems to raise productivity, along with uninterrupted power and gas supply to sustain production.
The association proposed expanding export destinations through trade fairs in non-traditional markets such as South America and the Middle East under the Export Promotion Bureau. It also urged the government to reconsider Bangladesh’s LDC graduation timeline, noting that the country’s economic and social infrastructure may need more time to prepare.
BGBA leaders said such coordinated efforts are essential to protect jobs, restore buyer confidence, and strengthen Bangladesh’s competitive edge in the global apparel market.
