Bangladesh’s merchandise exports grew by 8.58 percent in the just-concluded fiscal year (FY) 2024-25, reaching $48.28 billion, defying a global economic slowdown, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and domestic instability, according to data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) yesterday.

Bangladesh’s exports rose for a fourth straight month in November as goods that had been stuck for the past three months were finally shipped.

The mismatch of export data raises a fundamental question about the precision of economic reporting and its ramifications for Bangladesh's economy.

The need for correct and regularly updated data cannot be overstated

In 2022-23, the mismatch between the actual realisation reported by BB and EPB shipment figure was $12.08 billion, the highest in at least eight years

export earnings declined for the second consecutive month in November amid the continued slowdown in readymade garment shipments

Bangladesh’s export to China fell to its three-year low of $677 million in the last fiscal year as entrepreneurs could not take advantage of the duty benefits extended by Beijing.