Bangladesh is not an industrialized country. Yet, among the industries in which Bangladesh has made progress, the garment industry is the most notable. The garment industry in Bangladesh is world-class. One hundred percent of our garment industry is export-oriented. It has a lot of demand in the world market.
Status of the garment industry in the past
In ancient times, people around the world admired our country’s textiles.People around the world recognized our muslin and Jamdani fabrics . But the British came to the subcontinent, they almost destroyed this industry. During the Pakistan period, the garment industry in did not expand. In 1947, there were 14 textile mills in both parts of Pakistan, but in 1970, this number increased to 140.Of which only 43 were in the then East Pakistan, which is now Bangladesh. This discrimination by the Pakistani government was the main obstacle to the development of the textile market in Bangladesh at that time.
Current Status
Bangladesh has made considerable progress in the garment industry since independence. Currently, several hundred thousand workers are engaged in garment production in Bangladesh. About 84% of these workers are womenThe main centers of the garment industry are located in Narayanganj, Dhaka, and Tongi. The humid climate, good communication system through rivers, roads, and railways, skilled workers, and sufficient capital have been helpful in the development of the garment industry.There are textile mills in Chittagong, Kushtia, Khulna, Comilla, Kaliganj and Goalanda. There is also a weaving industry. Very high-quality woven fabrics are produced in many places in Bangladesh.
Importance of garment industry
The clothing industry in Bangladesh has opened the door to massive economic development through forward linkage and backward linkage.
- Export Trade: Currently, garments contribute 77 percent of the country’s total export earnings. About 100 buying houses actively buy and sell garments.
- Employment : Unskilled women workers who used to spend sleepless nights in despair are now engaged in the skilled work of making clothes for the world market. The garment industry has employed about 1.6 million workers, most of whom are women.
- Creation of Entrepreneurship: In agriculture-based Bangladesh, the garment industry has created thousands of industrial entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs have strong management skill and a modern outlook. The small economy of Bangladesh has become an industrialized economy due to the skillful efforts of these skilled entrepreneurs.
- Textile Industry: The garment industry has brought investment opportunities in various spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, finishing and printing industries in Bangladesh. This has developed many material industries in the country.
- Transportation and Port Use: Import and export of garment industry products has led to the advancement of the transportation industry from port to factory and increased use of ports.
- Expansion of Packaging Industry: The packaging, gum tape, zipper, button and buckle industries have expanded for the export of garment products.
- Other contributions: Apart from this, banks are profiting by investing in the garment industry, insurance company premiums are increasing, new technologies are arriving in Bangladesh, and the garment industry is strengthening Bangladesh’s recognition and position in the international arena.
On the other hand, with the development of the garment industry, other sectors of the country’s economy have also developed. There has been a revival in the banking and insurance sector, transport and communication sector, construction sector, research and education sector, shipping and cargo sector, and land ports.
Problems in the garment industry
The garment sector in Bangladesh has considerable potential. There are some problems in this industry. Notable among them are:
- Political instability (such as strike), often prevents suppliers from supplying the right quantity of goods at the right time as per the contract. As a result, the industry faces extreme hardship in export trade.
- Our country’s garment industry is suffering due to unskilled workers.
- Since there is not enough raw material in the country, it has to be imported from abroad at a high cost. As a result, a large portion of export earnings is spent on it.
- Many times imported raw materials are of poor quality. This makes our clothes lose their acceptance in the world market.
- Sometimes the garment industry is harmed by imposing quotas on imports and exports.
Steps to be taken to solve the problem
The following recommendations can be presented to solve the existing problems and industrialize the garment industry:
- Allowing permission to charter cargo planes for fast exports.
- Ensuring regular power supply.
- Maintaining political stability.
- Ending corruption related to quota policy.
- Taking measures to produce the necessary raw materials domestically.
- Providing facilities like EPZ.
The clothing industry is our pride, this industry has contributed the most to achieving our economic prosperity. This demand outside the country is increasing day by day. Our garment industry has already gained a lot of fame at home and abroad. Therefore, we all have to come forward to solve the problems of this industry and keep one of the most successful parts of the national economy dynamic and protect the tradition, importance and uniqueness of the weaving industry along with the closed mills.