Export growth hit a six-year low of 10.31% in the immediate past fiscal year, evidence of an impact of global recession on the country's shipments. In fiscal 2008-09, exports amounted to $15.8 billion, falling 4.5% short of the $16.3 billion target, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data.

Despite a sluggish export performance of several major products in Bangladesh, overall exports were recorded at moderate levels, banking mainly on earnings from the woven and knitwear sectors.

Woven garments, which take up over 80% of the country's export basket, posted 14.5% growth in the last fiscal year, fetching $5.9 billion. Export figures also exceeded the $5.7 billion target by 4.13% in fiscal 2008-09. Earnings from the sector were $ 5.2 billion in fiscal 2007-08.

In fiscal 2008-09, the knitwear sector fetched $6.4 billion, a 16.21% rate of growth over the pervious year's earnings of $5.5 billion, but the sector's earnings dropped 2.35% short of the $6.6 billion export target.

In fiscal 2008-09, terry towels, handicraft, computer services and chemical products achieved export growth, exceeding targets. Meanwhile, footwear, home textiles, textile fabrics and agricultural products posted growth, but fell short of targets set by the government.

Sajjad Zohir, Executive Director of Economic Research Group, said the export performance of the country was satisfactory, considering the world is gripped by recession.