April exports jump 51%

Bangladesh’s merchandise exports in April grew 51.18 percent year-on-year to $4,738 million, which is the third-highest monthly export earnings in the country's history, according to Export Promotion Bureau data released on Monday.

Exports continue to show stellar growth so far this year riding on the demand from the west and higher commodity prices amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

EPB data shows knitwear export rose 37.49 percent to over $19.24 billion and woven 34.23 percent to nearly $16.12 billion in the first 10 months till April of the current fiscal year.

However, the trade deficit is also rising as Bangladesh’s import bills are increasing on the back of the higher commodity prices in the international markets.

The trade deficit expanded to a record $24.91 billion from $15.22 billion in the first nine months of the current fiscal year compared to the same period a year ago, according to Bangladesh Bank data.