CORPORATE WINDOW; Piggybacking Bangladesh’s textile void

With Bangladesh suppliers struggling to meet delivery deadlines amid prolonged turmoil, Pakistan textile exports could see a significant boost as Western brands begin sourcing from alternative destinations. Factory shutdowns, port closures, and a business class in disarray — caught in a highly polarised environment and grappling with the fallout of some leaders’ close ties to the ousted Sheikh Hasina government — have all contributed to the disruption. Bangladesh has emerged as a global textile powerhouse, ranking as the second-largest exporter of ready-made garments with over $45 billion in exports last year, trailing only China and outpacing regional cotton producers India and Pakistan. The unrest, which began with student protests in June escalated into a civil rights movement by July, leading to a regime change in early August.