Bangladesh's export of woven and knit garments to the U.S. market rose by 19.63 percent during the first 10 months of the quota-free regime, which began January 1, 2005, over the same period of last year, local newspaper The Independent reported Saturday.

Sources at the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) were quoted by the newspaper as saying Bangladesh fetched a total of 2 billion and 400 million U.S. dollars respectively by exporting woven and knit garments to the U.S. markets in 10 months of 2005.

Annisul Huq, former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association said the rising trend might continue until 2008.

In 2001, Bangladesh earned 1.83 billion and 370 million dollars from woven and knitwear exports to the U.S. market.

The exports of woven and knitwear to U.S. market fell by 37 and 24 percent respectively in 2004 over 2001.

The share of Bangladeshi woven garments in the U.S. market also declined in 2004 to 2.66 percent from 3.14 percent in 2001.

Providing duty-free access for products from 33 African and Caribbean countries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act also contributed to the fall in garment exports from Bangladesh, he added.

Source: Xinhua