Bangladesh has the potential to triple its annual export earnings to $150 billion from the current $50–55 billion by strategically supporting five to seven high-potential sectors, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has said.
Speaking at a consultation workshop in Dhaka recently, the minister stressed the need for targeted sectoral development, skill enhancement, innovation, and technology adoption to sustain export growth, particularly as Bangladesh prepares for graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.
Mr. Muktadir said the government is working to upgrade the leather and light engineering industries into internationally recognised skill development hubs in partnership with global institutions, aiming to improve competitiveness and meet evolving market requirements.
He highlighted value addition as a key driver of future export growth, especially in the jute sector, where shifting from raw fibre exports to diversified jute products and technical textiles could significantly increase earnings.
The workshop also reviewed findings from a study on the competitiveness of Bangladesh’s emerging private sectors and discussed a proposed development project designed to strengthen export capabilities and address post-LDC challenges.
Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan revealed that the ministry is preparing an integrated project worth around Tk 3,000 crore focused on export expansion, business environment reforms, digitalisation, and improved policy implementation. The initiative is expected to be implemented through the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and will incorporate recommendations from private-sector stakeholders.
The minister expressed optimism that with timely reforms and coordinated interventions, Bangladesh can diversify its export basket, strengthen industrial competitiveness, and achieve a new milestone in export earnings.
