Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in the world. According to the Economic Survey 2012-13, the per capita income of the people of this country is 923 US dollars. According to the latest Prothom Alo calculation on May 22, 2014, the per capita income is 1190 US dollars. Various types of industries are being set up to improve the economic condition of the country.
*The major industries of Bangladesh are discussed below-
★Garment Industry:
The garment industry has been playing an important role in the industrialization and economic development of the country. At present, there are more than 3500 factories and 1.6 million workers in the garment industry of Bangladesh, of which more than 6 percent are women. Bangladesh is exporting garments to more than 20 countries of the world. Bangladesh is the second largest exporter of garments in the world. China is the first exporter of readymade garments. Bangladesh is the largest exporter of garments to the United States, accounting for 56% of total exports. The second largest market for the garment industry is the European Union.
★Jute Industry:
Jute is an important cash crop of Bangladesh. In the past, jute was the major source of foreign exchange. About 5 million people are engaged in jute cultivation and 2 lakh workers are engaged in jute industry in Bangladesh.
★Sugar industry:
Sugar is one of the industries in Bangladesh. At present there are 15 sugar mills in Bangladesh. The main sugar mill in Bangladesh is Darshan Keru & Co. At present the annual demand of sugar in the country is about 14.00 lakh metric tons. In the 2012-13 financial year, 94,640 metric tons of sugar was produced in Bangladesh.
★Tea industry:
Tea industry is one of the industries in Bangladesh. At present there are about 158 tea gardens in Bangladesh. There are 103 factories and 20,000 workers for tea processing. The hilly areas of Sylhet and the hilly areas of Chittagong are especially suitable for tea cultivation. Bangladeshi tea is exported to various countries in America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
★Paper Industry:
Bangladesh is self-sufficient in paper production. The journey of paper industry in this country started in 1953 through 'Karnafuli Paper Mills'. At present, many privately owned paper mills including Khulna Newsprint Mill, Pakshi Paper Mill, Adamji Particle Board have been set up. Every year our country earns 25 to 30 crore rupees by exporting paper and paper products.
★Leather Industry:
The role of leather industry in the national economy of Bangladesh is immense. Leather produces shoes, briefcases, handbags, shopping bags, ladies bags, money bags, watch straps, belts etc. According to the report of Prothom Alo on May 19, 2014, the current market of leather and leather products in the world is about 21.5 billion dollars. But Bangladesh has been able to occupy 47 percent of the world market in the export of leather products. Among the countries to which Bangladesh exports leather and leather products are China, Japan, Italy, Brazil, Spain and the United States.
★Tourism Industry:
Tourism industry is a special sector of the economy of Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a land of immense potential in the tourism industry. Cox's Bazar, St. Martin's Island, Kuakata Beach, Sundarbans, Himchhari Falls, Nijhum Island, Tanguar Haor, Jaflong, Mahasthangarh, Mainamati, Lalbagh Fort, Satgumbuj Mosque, Barind Museum, etc. are some of the notable tourist destinations in Bangladesh. According to the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation, the number of tourists in Bangladesh in 2001 was 2,07,199 and in 2008 it was 4,6,332. Till 2012, about 26 lakh people have been employed in the tourism industry in Bangladesh.
★Small and cottage industries:
Small and cottage industries are playing an important role in the economic development of Bangladesh. The villagers produce various commodities at home. For example, sari, lungi, dhoti, towel, bed sheet etc. are made by hand weaving. Pottery includes earthen pots, jugs, dolls, vases etc.
