Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - Bangladesh’s export stood at $24.28 billion in the just concluded fiscal yea (FY) 2011-12 showing an increase of 5.9 percent but fell short of the target of $26.5 billion.
The 8.35 per cent shortfall from the target was attributed to the decline in demand for garment products in the dismal European market.
Knit export seriously affected by the euro-zone crisis and also for the GSP offered by the EU, a leading exporter said, adding that Cambodia and Laos get the GSP benefit while Bangladesh has severely affected by it.
Woven items fetched $9.60 billion marking a 13.89 percent growth in the last fiscal year over that of the FY’11 while knitwear accounted for $9.48 billion showing a nominal growth of 0.05 percent.
Apparel manufactures said they are now looking for exploring new markets to diversify and boost export.
The total export earning during the FY’11 fiscal stood at $22.92billion which was 23.92 per cent higher than the target of $18.50 billion.
In FY’12, export of home textiles stood at $9,06.07 million with a 14.87 per cent growth; footwear exports fetched $335.51 million, frozen foods including frozen fish, shrimps and others $598.42 million, and agricultural products $402.70 million.
Specialized textiles, including terry towel, showed a negative growth of 15.67 per cent with earning of $138.77 million during the last fiscal year while export of petroleum byproducts accounted for only $275.44 million.
Leather and leather products and plastic products maintained the upward trend during the July-June period of the last fiscal.
Leather fetched $330.16 million, leather products $99.36 million, plastic products $88.69 million and rubber $16.23 million.
The export of jute and jute goods during the period under review declined to $967.38 million marking a 13.23 per cent fall. Raw jute fetched $266.28 million showing a decline of 25.47 per cent while jute yarn and twine earned $468.15 million.
Jute sacks and bags, however, witnessed a negative growth of 10.38 per cent in the last fiscal with an earning of $185.26 million.
BBN/SSR/AD-11July12-1:30am (BST)
