The country's overall exports grew US$ 642.79 million, or 15 percent, in the first six months of the current financial year, thanks to major contribution of knitwear and woven products.
During July-December period of the 2005-06 fiscal year, exports fetched $4944.83 million, which was $4302.04 million during the same period of the last financial year, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) statistics.
Knitwear products continued to maintain robust position, posting 27.62 percent growth. Knitwear items during the period earned $1,789.63 million against $1,402.34 million during the same period of the last fiscal year.
Woven products had also been able to manage a minimum growth during July-December period of FY06, fetching $1907.80 million, up only 4.62 percent over the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.
According to Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), knitwear exports saw a rise in some major markets after quota-phase out from January this year.
The exporters hoped the trend will continue in the coming months as it has a strong backward linkage support. Besides, the BKMEA has embarked on an aggressive campaign in some major markets including the US to increase income from this sector.
"Bangladesh exports continue to see a positive growth in the quota-free regime due to substantial income rise from the knitwear sector. Readymade garments still contribute around 75 percent to the total export earning and export diversification is yet to take place," said an EPB official.
Knitwear apart, export earning from jute goods, raw jute, leather, chemical products, ceramic tableware, agricultural products, petroleum by products, computer services, bi-cycle, textile fabrics and handicrafts recorded growth during July-December period of the current financial year.
Earnings from some major areas including frozen food, tea, and home textile recorded negative growth during the same period of this fiscal.
Frozen food exports amounted to $235.67 million during July-December period of FY06, 4.61 percent down.
Jute goods export fetched $177.42 million in the first six months of the current fiscal, recording a 16.66 percent growth.
Leather products export earning fetched $120.04 million during the six months period, marking 15.67 percent growth over the same period of the last fiscal.
Chemical products worth $106.51 million were exported during July-December period of this fiscal year, marking a 24.33 percent rise.
