New monthly trade report from Wazir Advisors, BKMEA and BRAC University aims to equip apparel stakeholders with timely insights as sourcing dynamics undergo a fundamental shift.
The global apparel industry is entering a new era where competitiveness is no longer defined solely by manufacturing capacity or labour costs.
Recognising this need, Wazir Advisors, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED), BRAC University, has launched the first edition of the Bangladesh & Global Apparel Trade Update—a monthly publication designed to provide a comprehensive snapshot of Bangladesh’s apparel performance alongside developments across global sourcing markets.
The initiative reflects a broader shift within the apparel industry: manufacturers today require more than operational excellence—they need real-time intelligence to anticipate market movements, identify emerging opportunities and make informed strategic decisions.
Beyond Numbers: Turning Data into Competitive Advantage
While trade statistics have always been available, the value of this initiative lies in bringing together multiple market indicators into a single decision-making resource. The report tracks Bangladesh’s apparel exports alongside international trade flows, retail demand, supply chain developments and e-commerce trends, offering stakeholders a broader understanding of the forces shaping global sourcing.
For exporters, suppliers, brands and policymakers, such intelligence has become indispensable. As sourcing destinations compete not only on price but also on speed, reliability and agility, access to current market information can influence everything from production planning to investment decisions.
Highlighting this objective, Varun Vaid, Executive Director, Wazir Advisors, noted that reliable market intelligence has become essential for businesses navigating today’s complex apparel ecosystem, adding that the report is intended to support better business decisions through concise, data-driven insights.
The inaugural July 2026 edition arrives at an important moment for Bangladesh’s apparel industry. According to the report, the country exported US$4.0 billion worth of apparel during the month, with knitwear contributing 55 per cent of total exports. Despite softer demand across major destinations such as the European Union and the United States, Bangladesh has retained its position as the world’s second-largest apparel exporter, underlining the sector’s resilience amid an uncertain global economic environment.
According to Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, Executive President, BKMEA, timely market intelligence will enable manufacturers to respond more effectively to changing sourcing trends, strengthen competitiveness and identify new growth opportunities in international markets.
The collaboration leverages Wazir Advisors’ global consulting experience, BKMEA’s extensive industry network and BRAC University’s research capabilities to bridge the gap between data and decision-making.
Commenting on the initiative, Afshana Choudhury, Head of CED, BRAC University, emphasised that evidence-based research and knowledge co-creation will be essential for supporting sustainable industry growth and informed policy development.
