2023-05-17-亚开行-转变孟加拉国在贸易和全球价值链中的参与（英）_106页_11mb

Summary

This report analyzes Bangladesh's integration into global trade and its participation in global value chains (GVCs), with a focus on economic transformation, diversification, and digitalization. Bangladesh's economy is heavily reliant on the ready-made garments (RMG) sector, which dominates exports and contributes significantly to GDP, employment, and poverty reduction. However, this concentration poses risks, as the sector is vulnerable to wage increases, preference erosion (post-LDC graduation), and global supply chain shifts.

Key findings include:

• Limited GVC Participation: Bangladesh's GVC participation rates are among the lowest globally, with high backward participation (foreign value-added) relative to forward participation (domestic reexports). Textiles dominate exports but yield low value-added domestically due to limited backward linkages.
• Trade Diversification Challenges: Exports are highly concentrated in textiles and textiles products, despite efforts to diversify into sectors like leather, ICT, and digital services. Market access remains geographically concentrated, with heavy reliance on EU preferences, necessitating trade agreement diversification.
• Digitalization Lag: Bangladesh scores low on digital development indicators, with limited FDI, infrastructure gaps, and a widening digital divide compared to regional peers. Digitalization in specific sectors (e.g., leather) and among RMG firms shows potential but requires targeted investment.
• Economic Complexity: Bangladesh's economic complexity remains low, lacking the product variety and sophistication seen in successful economies like Viet Nam. Competitiveness in nontextile sectors (e.g., leather, ICT) exists but is underutilized.

Policy Recommendations:

1. Diversify exports by targeting high-potential sectors like leather, ICT, and digital services.
2. Strengthen FDI inflows and improve domestic linkages to enhance GVC participation.
3. Accelerate digital infrastructure, education, and firm-level technology adoption.
4. Negotiate new trade agreements to mitigate preference erosion and access alternative markets.

Overall, Bangladesh must balance its RMG-led growth with strategic diversification, digitalization, and GVC participation to achieve sustainable, inclusive development aligned with its Vision 2041.