With proper support, Bangladesh set to reach top spot on apparel exports: Kiak Sung

Kiak Sung, founder of Korean EPZ, on Thursday said that with the right strategies and reforms, Bangladesh is poised to climb to the number one spot on global apparel exports.

"Bangladesh currently holds the position of the world's second-largest apparel exporter as a single country," he said while speaking as the keynote speaker at a session of the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025.

He delivered a presentation on “Bangladesh Moving Forward: Through an Investor's Lens” at the session on “Textile and Apparel”.

To achieve the target of top position, he said, Bangladesh must enhance its use of technology, improve workers' skills, and establish its own production facilities for man-made fibers.

He also highlighted the importance of policy support and the need for a greater number of bonded warehouses.

"These will enable quicker access to raw materials, allowing manufacturers to produce and export finished goods more efficiently," he added.

Commenting on recent trade developments, Sung said, "The three-month suspension of the Trump-era tariff policy brings some relief. Bangladesh government's proactive measures in this regard are commendable."

Looking ahead, he stressed the need for value-added production. "We must focus on producing high-value garments; otherwise, it will become increasingly difficult to remain competitive in the global market," he warned.

Anwar Hossain, administrator at BGMEA and vice-chairman of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), also spoke on the occasion.