The Bangladesh Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector, long the undisputed engine of the nation’s economic miracle, is currently navigating a turbulent and uncertain transition. After a decade of relentless expansion, the industry—which accounts for over 84 percent of the country’s total export earnings—is witnessing a significant contraction. New data from the Export Promotion Bureau reveals a 3.15 percent decline in total merchandise exports for the first eight months of FY26, signaling a potential end to the era of easy growth.
India has sent shockwaves through the global textile market by recording a massive surge in cotton imports throughout 2025. According to the latest data from sourcing intelligence tool TexPro, the value of India’s cotton imports skyrocketed by 92.50 percent to reach $1,927.716 million. Even more staggering is the import volume, which leaped by 130 percent to 1,036.041 million kg, compared to 451.424 million kg in the previous year. This massive increase signals a strategic shift by the Indian textile industry to capitalize on softening global commodity prices to bolster national raw material stocks.
Sri Lanka has reached a significant milestone in its efforts to bolster the global competitiveness of its garment sector. A state-of-the-art multi-purpose training facility was recently inaugurated at the Sri Lanka Institute of Textile & Apparel (SLITA) in Ratmalana. This ambitious project involved a massive investment of 520 million Sri Lankan Rupees, approximately $1.66 million, reflecting the government's serious commitment to cultivating a professional workforce capable of navigating the challenges of a highly competitive modern fashion industry.
The landscape of global garment trade has reached a historic turning point in 2025. Vietnam has decisively overtaken China in the United States’ jackets and blazers import market, marking a significant structural shift in sourcing patterns that has been brewing for the last four years. While China held a commanding lead as recently as 2022, Vietnam’s aggressive growth trajectory has allowed it to seize the top spot, widening the gap with its long-time rival.
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