Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday emphasized the importance of targeting diverse markets, including the Middle East, Gulf countries, Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Eastern Europe, to boost Bangladesh’s export earnings.

Speaking as the chief guest at the National Export Trophy ceremony, she urged exporters to broaden their product range.

‘We don’t want to limit ourselves to a few export items. It’s essential to diversify our exports,’ she said.

The event, held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium, honored 77 top exporters across 32 categories for the fiscal year 2021-22.

Highlighting the economic pressures in the US and Europe, where inflation has affected purchasing power, the Prime Minister urged exporters to focus on emerging markets.

‘Let’s research and understand what products are needed in these countries,’ she said, advocating for a shift away from reliance on ready-made garments (RMG), given fluctuating global demands.

Sheikh Hasina called for innovation in design and production to meet changing consumer trends, noting the high global demand for information and communication technologies.

The Prime Minister also highlighted various sectors ripe for export, including pharmaceuticals, leather goods, jute products, agriculture, food processing, fruits and frozen shrimp.

She also remarked on the agricultural revolution in Bangladesh, pointing out that the country can export a wider array of agricultural products by diversifying production.

Reiterating the need for economic diplomacy, she stressed the importance of improving local purchasing power to enhance the standard of living for grassroots citizens.

‘Our local market has a strong demand for domestically produced goods,’ she added.

At the event, Rifat Garments Ltd received ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Export Trophy’ for the highest export earnings in the RMG woven category.

A total of 28 firms were awarded gold, 27 silver, and 21 bronze trophies.

State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu, Parliamentary Standing Committee Chairman Tipu Munshi, Commerce Secretary Md Selim Uddin, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice Chairman Md Anwar Hossain, and FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam spoke on the occasion.