The government has set a target to ensure exports worth $63.5 billion for the current fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26) – 16.5 per cent higher than the overall receipt in the previous fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25).
In the presence of Commerce Adviser SK Bashir Uddin, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman announced the new target at a press conference at Ministry of Commerce in the capital on Tuesday.
Of the new target, he said $55 billion is expected to come from goods and $8.5 billion from services. The targets were set after discussions with stakeholders from relevant sectors, he added.
Starting next week, he said, the ministry will hold meetings with industry leaders to identify one or two major bottlenecks for each sector and work with the concerned agencies to resolve them.
Bashir Uddin described the target as “quite conservative” and expressed hope that actual exports would exceed expectations.
He mentioned that Bangladesh is working on market expansion for non-traditional products and exploring new destinations.
“Negotiations for free trade agreements (FTAs) are ongoing with Japan, South Korea, and Singapore,” he added.
He, however, mentioned that not all FTAs may be favourable for Bangladesh.
The adviser laid emphasis on maximising duty-free market access, especially in the UK and EU.
He also said discussions are underway to lower the US’ reciprocal tariff from 20 per cent to 15 per cent.
Senior officials of the ministry and leaders from various business sectors were also present on the occasion.
Industry leaders expressed optimism about achieving the target but stressed the need to address domestic challenges, particularly the gas crisis, banking sector instability, customs inefficiencies, and law-and-order issues.