History of garment industry in Bangladesh

As More than 70 percent of the Bangladeshi population and workforce live in rural areas, agriculture was always the main driver of the Bangladeshi economy. 

Bangladesh has made progress over the past 40 years after independence in achieving food security, despite frequent natural disasters and population growth.

With food security, the country is achieving rapid progress in its industrial sector, especially in the garment industry.

As the average productivity of the garment industry is higher than agriculture, big corporate industries are growing rapidly. 

People are moving out of agriculture into the garment industry. This sector is providing high-wage employment for a large number of workers.

Clothing and textile industries provide the main source of economic activity in Bangladesh's newly developing economy. 

Exports of garments and textiles are the single biggest source of foreign currency earnings. This industry does not grow up in a day. 

It has a long history - 

Before the occupation of the British in the Indian subcontinent, Bengal was always known for its fine art of crafting. 

Bengal was worldwide famous for its luxurious garments, especially muslin and jamdani. But 200 years of brutal British rule destroyed the clothing industry of Bengal. 

After the partition of India and Pakistan, From 1947 to 1971, The textile industry in East Pakistan was largely owned by West Pakistanis. 

After the liberation from Pakistan, the RMG industry started developing in Bangladesh. 

This sector rapidly gained high importance in terms of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and its contribution to GDP.