Among major garment exporting countries, Bangladesh was the only country to report a positive year-on-year growth of 5 percent between January and August 2023.
In the first eight months of 2023, Vietnam’s apparel exports decreased by 15 percent compared to the same period last year.
This was informed by Tien Truong, Chairman of Vietnam Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) while participating in a seminar on September 19.
He added that he would try to find and analyze the reason behind the growth of Bangladesh garment exports when he visits the country next week.
Tien Truong also said that the American Textile and Garment Importers Association assessed 12 criteria to select a country from which to import textiles and garments.
These include quality, management capacity, stability, politics, innovation, sustainable development, prices, tariffs, etc.
He mentioned that Vietnam has the highest overall score of 47.5 out of 60, while Bangladesh has scored only 39 points.
In terms of quality, delivery time, especially social responsibility and sustainable development, Vietnam scored 4 out of 5, while Bangladesh could manage only 2, as they do not have a social insurance system.
Bangladesh scored higher than Vietnam in terms of price which was 4.5 out of 5 and on tariffs, as Bangladesh has a Least Developed Country status, which helps it export duty-free, especially to the EU.
Previously, at the August meeting of the Vietnam Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex), an analysis found that in the first seven months of the year, garment exports to only Japan recorded a growth.
Clothing exports to Japan grew year on year by 3 percent to reach $2.2 billion in the first seven months of the year and Vinatex expects the growth trend to continue in the rest of the year.
Only Bangladesh reports garment export growth between Jan-Aug 2023
