Bangladesh recorded a trade deficit of $24.17 billion in the fiscal year 2024-25, with exports totalling $55.19 billion against imports of $79.36 billion.
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir disclosed the figures in Parliament on Sunday in a written reply to a question from reserved-seat MP Nilufar Chowdhury Moni (Seat-10).
The reply was given during the starred question-and-answer session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.
The minister said Bangladesh exported goods to 202 destinations worldwide during FY25. The government is implementing various measures to expand export trade and reduce the country's dependence on a limited number of products.
Around 84 per cent of Bangladesh's total export earnings come from the readymade garment (RMG) sector, highlighting the country's heavy reliance on a single industry.
To reduce this dependence, the government has taken initiatives to extend similar facilities to promising sectors beyond the RMG industry.
As part of the initiative, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued an order allowing partial exporters in 18 sectors to enjoy bonded warehouse facilities against bank guarantees.
The government has also undertaken a district-based export promotion initiative modelled on the 'One District, One Product' programme. Under the initiative, 64 products have been identified across 68 districts.
The minister also noted that exports worth around $17.5 billion could face risks following Bangladesh's graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category.
To address the potential challenges, Bangladesh has signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan and concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with South Korea.
Negotiations and processes for various trade agreements are also underway with the European Union, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Indonesia and China, he said.
To explore new export markets, the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is organising the Global Sourcing Expo in FY26 while participating in 46 international trade fairs and eight seminars.
The government is also sending trade missions beyond traditional markets to Brazil, the Middle East, emerging European markets, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region and various African countries.
The minister further said Bangladesh Bank had established a Tk 5,000 crore fund to provide low-interest pre-shipment loans to support export-oriented industries.
Meanwhile, the 'Paper and Packaging Products' sector has been declared the Product of the Year 2026 to promote the international market expansion of the country's paper and packaging industry.
