Bangladesh has set a $63.4 billion export earnings target for fiscal year 2026-27, but an intensifying gas and power shortage is casting doubt on whether it can be achieved. The target includes $55.2 billion from merchandise exports and $8.2 billion from services, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir recently announced. It is about 15 percent above earnings in the outgoing fiscal year, with readymade garments expected to contribute $44.5 billion.

Export earnings during February-July 2026 reached about $24.30 billion, compared with $24.08 billion in the same six months of 2025, a rise of only about 0.9 percent, according to the Export Promotion Bureau. Monthly results were volatile: earnings fell in February, March and May, but rose sharply in April and June. July earnings stood at $4.72 billion, down 0.9 percent year on year, while garment exports declined 1.92 percent.

BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem welcomed measures allowing certain exporters to import raw materials duty-free against bank guarantees and cited tax-policy changes. He said gas and electricity shortages, unresolved banking problems and a deterioration in overall law and order remain major challenges. Merchandise export earnings in 2025-26 were about $48 billion, down 0.58 percent from the previous fiscal year.