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The twenty imports Bangladesh is best placed to replace.

Bangladesh imported USD 47bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 57bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 6.6bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
326products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
381products Bangladesh already exports well
703product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Bangladesh already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Bangladesh would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Bangladesh does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter, not containing...HS 170114

    Comes fromBrazil 100%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 26k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 111m
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 759m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 759mdown 16% on 2022
  2. 2

    Cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 232.56 but not...HS 520523

    Comes fromIndia 93%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or... (exports USD 69m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 11 more lines in the heading, USD 1.0bn
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 568m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 2 per cent (3); India supplies 93 per cent (2).

    USD 568mup 12% on 2022
  3. 3

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: phosphatic, superphosphates, containing by weight 35% or more of diphosphorus...HS 310311

    Comes fromMorocco 88%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well8

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 526m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); Morocco supplies 88 per cent (2).

    USD 526mup 6% on 2022
  4. 4

    Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing...HS 521142

    Comes fromChina 73%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or... (exports USD 69m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 821k; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 265m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 510m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); China supplies 73 per cent (2).

    USD 510mdown 20% on 2022
  5. 5

    Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of cotton, dyedHS 600622

    Comes fromChina 78%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings... (exports USD 27m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m; 7 more lines in the heading, USD 681m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 231m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); China supplies 78 per cent (2).

    USD 231mup 8% on 2022
  6. 6

    Footwear: parts, outer soles and heels, of rubber or plasticsHS 640620

    Comes fromChina 98%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFootwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6403, covering the ankle, outer... (exports USD 471m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 521k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 58m
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 139m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); China supplies 98 per cent (2).

    USD 139mdown 15% on 2022
  7. 7

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate (diammonium phosphate)HS 310530

    Comes fromMorocco 47%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 1.2bn, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); Morocco supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 1.2bndown 5% on 2022
  8. 8

    Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured)HS 252310

    Comes fromIndonesia 58%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well36

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 364m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); Indonesia supplies 58 per cent (1).

    USD 364mdown 53% on 2022
  9. 9

    Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, 3-thread or 4-thread twill, including cross twill...HS 520932

    Comes fromChina 55%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or... (exports USD 69m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 324m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 219m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); China supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 219mdown 15% on 2022
  10. 10

    Fabrics, woven: of polyester staple fibres n.e.c. in chapter 55, mixed mainly or solely with viscose rayon staple fibresHS 551511

    Comes fromChina 74%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFibres: waste (including noils, yarn waste and garnetted stock), of... (exports USD 955k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 20m
    Countries that export it well8

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 217m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); China supplies 74 per cent (2).

    USD 217mup 19% on 2022
  11. 11

    Yarn, synthetic: filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), textured, of polyesters, not for retail sale, not...HS 540233

    Comes fromChina 76%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 3k; 8 more lines in the heading, USD 198m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 215m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); China supplies 76 per cent (2).

    USD 215mdown 11% on 2022
  12. 12

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310210

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 100%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 55k
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 207m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 17 per cent (2); Saudi Arabia supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 207mdown 37% on 2022
  13. 13

    Copper: refined, unwrought, cathodes and sections of cathodesHS 740311

    Comes fromAustralia 76%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 158m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); Australia supplies 76 per cent (2).

    USD 158mup 1% on 2022
  14. 14

    Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns of different colours, weighing more than 100g/m2...HS 520842

    Comes fromChina 77%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or... (exports USD 69m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 10 more lines in the heading, USD 440m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 153m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (2); China supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 153mdown 21% on 2022
  15. 15

    Yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple (folded) or cabled yarn, of synthetic staple fibres, containing 85% or more by...HS 550922

    Comes fromChina 100%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFibres: waste (including noils, yarn waste and garnetted stock), of... (exports USD 955k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 55k; 7 more lines in the heading, USD 281m
    Countries that export it well7

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 125m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 14 per cent (2); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 125mup 5% on 2022
  16. 16

    Bran, sharps and other residues: of wheat, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from the sifting, milling or...HS 230230

    Comes fromIndia 79%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well49

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 110m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); India supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 110mdown 26% on 2022
  17. 17

    Lace: mechanically made, of man-made fibres in the piece, in strips or in motifs, (other than fabrics of headings...HS 580421

    Comes fromChina 81%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics: terry towelling and similar woven terry fabrics, of textile... (exports USD 740k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 10k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 16m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 94m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); China supplies 81 per cent (2).

    USD 94mdown 3% on 2022
  18. 18

    Lead: unwrought, refinedHS 780110

    Comes fromIndia 62%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 17m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 71m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); India supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 71mup 329% on 2022
  19. 19

    Fabrics, woven: plain weave, of polyester staple fibres, containing less than 85% by weight of such fibres, mixed...HS 551311

    Comes fromChina 74%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFibres: waste (including noils, yarn waste and garnetted stock), of... (exports USD 955k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 38k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 81m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 59m, top 23 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); China supplies 74 per cent (2).

    USD 59mdown 21% on 2022
  20. 20

    Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics of a width exceeding 30 cm, other than those of heading 60.01, containing by...HS 600410

    Comes fromChina 85%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings... (exports USD 27m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 319k
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 644m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Bangladesh's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); China supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 644mup 18% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Bangladesh already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns of... imports USD 598m, exports USD 12m, top source Pakistan 49%
  • Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, plain weave... imports USD 119m, exports USD 2m, top source China 80%
  • Cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by... imports USD 150m, exports USD 69m, top source India 70%
  • Cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by... imports USD 61m, exports USD 9m, top source India 52%
  • Leather: further prepared after tanning or crusting, including... imports USD 50m, exports USD 6m, top source China 69%
  • Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns of... imports USD 43m, exports USD 543k, top source China 82%
  • Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, plain weave... imports USD 38m, exports USD 1m, top source China 84%
  • Footwear: parts, uppers and parts thereof, other than stiffeners imports USD 40m, exports USD 11m, top source China 96%
  • Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to... imports USD 52m, exports USD 27m, top source China 95%
  • Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to... imports USD 23m, exports USD 1m, top source China 89%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 703 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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