Bangladesh's Readymade Garments Export Boom (1991–2015)

1. Garment factories expand rapidly across the early 1990s

   Jan 1, 1992Labels: BGMEA, Garment factories, Women workers

   • BGMEA Factories

2. RMG exports surpass $1.4B as boom takes hold

   Jan 1, 1993Labels: RMG exports, Apparel sector

   • BGMEA Exports

3. Bangladesh joins WTO under new global trade rules

   Jan 1, 1995Labels: WTO, Bangladesh

   • WTO Bangladesh

4. EU launches “Everything But Arms” preferences

   Mar 5, 2001Labels: Everything But, European Union

   • EU EBA

5. RMG exports reach about $6.4B before quotas end

   Jan 1, 2005Labels: RMG exports, Bangladesh

   • BGMEA Exports

6. Global textile quotas end under WTO rules

   Jan 1, 2005Labels: ATC expiry, WTO Agreement

   • WTO ATC

7. Exports climb to about $9.2B after quota phase-out

   Jan 1, 2007Labels: RMG exports, Bangladesh

   • BGMEA Exports

8. Minimum wage raised to Tk 3,000 (effective)

   Nov 1, 2010Labels: Minimum wage, Garment workers

   • World Bank
   • SEHD Wage

9. Tazreen Fashions fire exposes deadly safety failures

   Nov 24, 2012Labels: Tazreen Fashions, Factory fire

   • Tazreen Fire
   • USTR Statement

10. Rana Plaza collapse becomes turning point for reforms

    Apr 24, 2013Labels: Rana Plaza, Building collapse

    • Rana Plaza

11. Accord signed to inspect and remediate factories

    May 15, 2013Labels: Accord, Brands &

    • Accord

12. U.S. suspends Bangladesh’s GSP benefits

    Jun 27, 2013Labels: U S, Bangladesh

    • USTR Release

13. Bangladesh Labour Act amended after factory disasters

    Jul 15, 2013Labels: Labour Act, Bangladeshi parliament

    • Dhaka Tribune
    • USTR GSP

14. Minimum wage set at Tk 5,300 from Dec 2013

    Dec 1, 2013Labels: Minimum wage, Garment workers

    • Daily Star
    • Guardian

15. RMG exports reach about $25.5B by FY 2014–2015

    Jan 1, 2015Labels: RMG exports, Bangladesh

    • BGMEA Exports