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The textile and
clothing industry occupies a very important position in the economy
of Bangladesh. With 143 spinning mills, 115 of them privately owned
and the rest in the public sector, it is the country’s largest
manufacturing sector, contributing about 5% to total GDP and about
50% to total industrial employment. The major share of Bangladesh’s
foreign exchange earnings derive from the export of garments and
textiles, contributing 77% of total export earnings and accounting
for 40% of manufacturing value addition.
The labor intensive
nature of the industry makes it especially suited to Bangladesh.
Women workers in particular have been the beneficiaries of jobs in
the industry, which give them a measure of personal independence and
earning power that was previously unattainable for them.
 Home textile products
also have the benefit of being less capital intensive and relatively
easy on the environment. Moreover, there continues to be great
demand for the sector’s products, both in international and domestic
markets. JOBS believes that focused investment in this sector will
allow it to continue to contribute to the reduction of poverty and
the growth of the nation’s economy. The Project continues to work
with all levels of the industry to further strengthen its
contribution to the export earnings of Bangladesh.
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