Lesson 4/45 min
Exports, imports & remittance
Merchandise exports
| Fiscal year | Total exports | Garments |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | US$44.47 billion | US$36.15 billion |
| 2024-25 | US$48.28 billion (growth 8.58%) | US$39.35 billion |
| 2025-26 | US$48.00 billion (down 0.58%; target was US$55 billion) | US$38.70 billion |
More on exports (FY2025-26)
- Biggest single-country buyer: the United States at US$9.04 billion, then Germany and the UK
- Leather and leather goods: US$1.23 billion
- Jute and jute goods: US$883.69 million
- The main export is garments (coal is not an export item)
Imports and trade (from the books)
- Most imports come from China
- The largest trade deficit is also with China
- Most goods exported to the United States (single country)
Remittance
| Fiscal year | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2024-25 | About US$30.3 billion (a record then) |
| 2025-26 | US$35.59 billion (minister's figure in Parliament) |
FY2025-26: source countries (US$ billion)
| Country | Amount |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia (highest) | 5.85 |
| United Kingdom | 5.07 |
| United Arab Emirates | 4.58 |
| Malaysia | 3.40 |
| United States (down about 36%) | 3.03 |
Watch out: The top remittance source changes by year. This list is for FY2025-26, when Saudi Arabia led. The books also call Saudi Arabia the top destination for Bangladeshi workers.
Mobile and agent banking
- First mobile banking: Dutch-Bangla Bank, 2011
- Agent banking launched by Bank Asia, January 2014
Economic structure (share of GDP, about FY2024-25)
| Sector | Share |
|---|---|
| Services | about 51-53% |
| Industry | about 35-38% |
| Agriculture | about 11-12% |
Watch out: One exam key printed ‘industry’ as the largest GDP contributor. In recent figures the largest sector is services.
Did you know?: LDC graduation: Bangladesh was due to leave the list on 24 November 2026. On 29 October 2026 UN General Assembly resolution gave three more years; the new date is 24 November 2029.
Check yourself
What was remittance in FY2025-26 and which country led?
At a glance
- 1
Merchandise exports were US$48.28 billion in FY2024-25 and US$48.00 billion in FY2025-26 (down 0.58%).
- 2
The biggest single-country export buyer is the US: US$9.04 billion in FY2025-26.
- 3
Remittance was about US$30.3 billion in FY2024-25 and US$35.59 billion in FY2025-26.
- 4
In FY2025-26 the top remittance source was Saudi Arabia, then the UK and the UAE.
- 5
From the books: the most imports and the largest trade deficit are with China.
- 6
LDC graduation has been postponed to 24 November 2029.