Rise of Textile And Apparel Industry in Bangladesh
The textile and apparel industry in Bangladesh is one of the largest and most important sectors of the economy. It is said that it is the life line of Bangladeshi economy. It’s the largest export earner, accounting for over 80% of total exports. The industry employs over 4 million people, making it the largest source of employment in the country.
When did the textile industry start in Bangladesh?
During the reign of Akbar, Sonargaon was the capital of ancient Bangal. It was also known as an important port for exporting muslin, to Salt-peter, Borax etc all over the world. Records show that in the year 1787 Dhaka Muslin Fabrics worth more than millions of rupees were exported to the foreign countries through Sonargaon port. Muslin were hand-woven plain cloth of extremely fine hand spun yarns.
The muslin industry of Dhaka declined after the Battle of Palashi, 1757, by the end of the 18th century, the export of Dhaka Muslin came down to almost half of that of 1747, and by the middl;e of the 19th century was valued at less than ten lakh rupees.
The history of the textile industry in Bangladesh dates back to the early 19th century. Late Nurool Quader Khan had dream to start the apparel industry in Bangladesh and had vision of how to transform the country. He started its journey in the 1980s and has come to the position it is in today. The late Nurool Quader Khan was the pioneer of the readymade garment industry in Bangladesh. He had a vision of how to transform the country.
This was due to a number of factors, including the availability of cheap labor, the government’s focus on export-oriented industrialization, and the preferential trade agreements that Bangladesh has with many developed countries.
The home textile sector in Bangladesh is also growing rapidly. The country is a major producer of bed linen, towels, and curtains, and it is also starting to export a wider range of products, such as carpets and rugs. The home textile sector is less competitive than the RMG sector, but it is still a major source of employment and export earnings for Bangladesh.
Here are some of the key factors that have contributed to the success of the textile and apparel industry in Bangladesh:
