ADDING VALUE: BUILDING VALUE-ADDITION ALLIANCES Backward Linkages In The Textile And Clothing Sector of Bangladesh

The Textile and Clothing Sector in Bangladesh, predominantly consisting of the Readymade Garments (RMG) industries is currently the largest contributor to the national export earnings. Starting in the late seventies as a minor non-traditional sector with a negligible export base, the sector has grown over the years in geometric progression and presently accounts for about 75% of the total exports of the country. In FY 2001 the sector earned US$ 5.2 billion in which the contribution of RMG alone was US$ 4.9 billion. The sector consisting of 3700 enterprises has a contribution of 5% to the GDP of the country. The sector represents 24% of all manufacturing production and employs 1.6 million people including 150,000 in backward linkage industries.