Over 2.76 million tonnes of ready-made garment (RMG) products have been exported through Chittagong Port in the last financial year (FY), 2014-15, against over 2.65 million tonnes in the previous year. According to data of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), 27,60,449 tonnes of RMG products worth US$ 25.94 billion were exported through the country’s prime maritime port in FY 15, while it was 26,53,198 tonnes in the previous FY. The country’s 81 per cent of total RMG export was done through Chittagong Port in last FY. In the first half of the fiscal the exporters exported 13,32,380 tonnes of RMG products through the port, while in the second half it was 14,280,69 tonnes. June 2015, the last month of FY 15, saw the highest volume of RMG export, 2,86,957 tonnes, through Chittagong Port, while July 2014 saw the second highest volume, 2,67,353 tonnes, CPA data shows. Port officials said more volume of RMG could have been exported through the port had the political situation been normal during the January-March period of FY 15. According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the country earned $31.20 billion through export in 2014-15, which is $2.00 billion lower than the set target of $33.20 billion. For the current FY the export earning target has been set at $33.50 billion with 7.38 per cent annual growth projection. Export earning from the RMG sector has been set at $27.37 billion with 7.36 per cent growth. In 2013-14 total unit of RMG exported from the country was 1.00 billion, while in 2014-15 it was 1.57 billion units. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) leaders in Chittagong said despite a sizeable growth in terms of unit local RMG exporters could not attain much benefit in FY 15.
