Dhaka, Oct. 12 -- Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) exports to non-traditional markets recorded sluggish growth in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, reflecting persistent global demand weakness and economic uncertainty across key economies.

Official data show that exports to new destinations - including Japan, Australia, India, Korea, China, Mexico, and Turkey - rose by only 0.77 per cent year-on-year to US$1.65 billion during July-September quarter (Q1) of FY2025-26.

The figure stood at US$1.64 billion in the same period a year earlier, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data show.

Industry insiders attributed the marginal rise to weak consumer demand in advanced and emerging markets alike, driven by high living costs, slugg...