DHAKA, Jan 02, 2022 (BSS) - Country's export earnings grew a record 48.27 per cent year-on-year to stand at US$4.90 billion in December 2021 riding on massive apparel shipments.

   Earnings were $4.72 billion in October last year, $4.16 billion in September and $4.04 billion in November, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

  During the first six months (July-December) of the current fiscal year (FY22) the exports recorded a robust growth of 28.41 per cent to $2,469.85 crore, which was up by $546.51 crore from the same period of last fiscal year (FY21).

  The export earnings have been setting newer records almost every month because of higher shipment of goods, especially garment items with the reopening of the western economies from the severe fallouts of Covid-19 pandemic.

  Exporters attributed the government's decision of allowing factories to run during the peak time of Covid-19 to the significant rise in shipment as the buyers restored their confidence on Bangladesh.

  Between July and December, garment export grew by 28.02 per cent year-on-year to $19.90 billion.

  Of the amount earned from the garment shipment, $11.16 billion came from knitwear, a 30.91 per cent rise year-on-year.

  In the period, $8.73 billion came from woven, which is also 24.50 per cent year-on-year.

  President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association Faruque Hassan said, "The upward trend of garment export will continue up to June this year as we booked volume of work orders".

  He also said, The buyers have also increased the prices of per unit garment items between 10 per cent and 12 per cent and also the volume increased by 15 per cent over the last few months.

  However, the real value of cutting and making charge did not increase, he said. The international retailers and brands increased the prices of garment items mainly because of hikes in raw materials' price and freight charge, he added.