Facts & figures

FUTURE-HUB

The name Bangladesh means “Country of Bengal” in the official Bengali language. It faces the Bay of Bengal to its south, and is bordered by India on the north, west and east, as well as Burma (Myanmar) on the southeast. It is separated from the Himalayan nations of Nepal and Bhutan by India’s narrow Siliguri corridor, and is in geographical proximity to China.

Prospects for future growth are solid

  • World’s 8th biggest population, according to World Bank, with a young demographic
  • Strategic position in the heart of Asia
  • Cost?effective manufacturing environment
  • Expected to transition to Middle Income Country in next decade, fuelling domestic demand

Bangladesh GDP

  • Bangladesh GDP

Share of Exports

  • bd-share-of-export

 

Booming Exports, especially Ready Made Garments

  • Exports worth $23BN, growing at 41% in FY 2011
  • World’s #3 exporter of RMG, which accounts for 78% of exports
  • Strong exports of Jute, Leather, Seafood, but more diversification needed to reduce reliance on RMG Growing expertise in high?end sectors
  • Manufactures high?end garments for Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, Esprit etc., and produces high?end leather goods
  • Shipbuilding exports +333% FY 2011
  • Manufactures pharmaceuticals for export
  • Named as a top?30 location for offshore IT services by Gartner
  • Emerging light engineering industry to capitalise on export hub, and growing domestic demand for mid?range goods

Big trade deficit

Imports worth $34BN also growing by 42%

Big trade deficit, fuelled by demand for fuel, raw materials, and capital machinery

1992 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
GDP per capita (US$) 290 364 376 386 399 418 437 460 484 509 532 557
Poverty Headcount (%) 59% 49% 40% 32%

Bangladesh is a rapidly emerging market

  • Strong and stable GDP growth for a long period of Time
  • Growth remained strong during the financial crisis
Top Imports 2010/2011 USD mn
Petrol, Oil, Lubricants (POL) $ 3,186
Raw cotton $ 2,689
Textile and articles thereof $ 2,680
Capital machinery $ 2,325
Iron, steel and other base metals $ 2,004
Food Grains $ 1,911
Yarn $ 1,391
Plastics $ 1,302
Chemicals $ 1,254
Leading Suppliers 2010/2011 % of total
China 19.7
India 15.2
Malaysia 5.8
Japan 4.4
Singapore 4.0
… …
Germany (#13) 2.3
Leading Export Markets 2010/2011 USD mn
USA $ 5,108
Germany (#2) $ 3,439
UK $ 2,065
France $ 2,065
Netherlands $ 2,065