The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) in a unique move to boost the export-diversification programme is going to launch a special drive named ‘One District One product programme’ soon. Considering the country’s sole dependence on the ready made garment sector for nearly 76 per cent of its total export earnings and to maintain the current trend of robust export growth in the coming years the EPB has taken this special move.

Under this programme, the EPB has conducted a survey with the help of local district administration and other public and private development partners and finally they came up with the appropriate item for each district. According to the survey, they have identified organic tea for Panchagarh, crab for Khulna, leather and leather goods for Chittagong, handicrafts including silk products for Rajshahi, floor mat for Sunamganj and Feni, quilt or rug with artistic design for Faridpur and Jamalpur, floor mat for Rangpur, bamboo products for Kurigram.

The items also include handloom products including dress, handloom fabric, which includes Tangail sari and khadi for Jamalpur, Sirajganj, Tangail, Comilla and Rangamati, pineapple for Khagrachhari, fresh vegetable including potato, arum, fem, bean, gourd, pumpkin, brinjal, cabbage, cauliflower, carrot for Joypurhat, Nilphamari, Munshiganj, Jessore, Manikganj, Mymensingh, Narayanganj and Jhenaidah.

Others include agro-processed products like rice, fish including Hilsa and shrimp for Dinajpur, Kushtia, Netrokona, Barisal, Mymensingh, Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali and Narail. Herbal products for Natore, clay tiles for Satkhira, rubber for Bandarban, agar and agar-ator for Moulvibazar and betel leaf for Chuadanga.

Bangladesh exported a total of 166 items to 175 countries in 2005-06 and it fetched US$10.53 billion. Out of which 88 per cent of the export earnings were contributed by six items such as woven garments, knitwear products, frozen food, jute goods, leather and chemical products, according to EPB. The balance 12 per cent was earned by the rest 160 items.