DHAKA : The government has set export earnings target of US$63.4 billion for the current fiscal year (FY2026-27), aiming to achieve 15 percent growth in exports of both goods and services.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today announced the target at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Commerce conference room in the city.

Of the total export target, $55.2 billion is expected to come from merchandise exports, while $8.2 billion is projected from services exports.

The minister said that the country failed to achieve its export target in the previous fiscal year and the sector had experienced a period of sluggish growth.

 However, he expressed optimism that Bangladesh would regain momentum this year, citing policy stability under the newly elected government and a series of business-friendly measures announced in the national budget.

He stressed that export diversification would remain a key priority as the ready-made garment (RMG) sector currently contributes around 85 percent of the country's total export earnings.

To reduce dependence on a single sector, he mentioned that the government has identified leather and leather products, shipbuilding and ship recycling, light engineering and information technology (IT) as priority sectors for export expansion.

To expand market access, he said negotiations on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are nearing completion. 

Bangladesh also plans to conclude trade negotiations with four to five more countries by December, he added.

He added that the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan would be placed before the next session of parliament for enforcement, while the European Union has shown interest in initiating FTA negotiations with Bangladesh.

On Bangladesh's graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, the minister said uncertainty over the process has largely been resolved, adding that exporters would continue to enjoy existing market access facilities for the next three years.

Highlighting energy shortages as a major challenge for the export sector, he said, the government is working to install two additional Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs) to boost LNG imports and improve energy availability for industries.

Despite global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, the minister expressed confidence that improved business conditions, expanded trade agreements and increased investment would help Bangladesh achieve its export target and sustain higher export growth.