High inflation is cutting deep into consumer spending in Bangladesh, with weak demand turning one of the biggest concerns for businesses, according to an economic index released recently by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

Higher rents, utility bills and fuel prices are eating away at already thin profit margins, it found.

High inflation is cutting deep into Bangladesh consumer spending, with weak demand turning one of the biggest concerns for businesses, DCCI said.
Higher rents, utility bills and fuel prices are eating away at already thin profit margins.
DCCI’s economic position index revealed that consumers have sharply reduced spending as the cost of living continues to rise.
SMEs are feeling the pressure the most.

The chamber’s economic position index (EPI) revealed that consumers have sharply reduced spending as the cost of living continues to rise, putting pressure on retailers, transport operators and other service providers.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are feeling the pressure the most as they struggle to manage higher operating costs without losing customers.

Businesses also cited difficulties in obtaining bank loans, while delays in licensing and other regulatory procedures are adding to costs.

The DCCI report identified a shortage of skilled workers, particularly in technical and customer service roles, as another challenge for the sector.

The country’s inflation rose to 9.04 per cent in April from 8.71 per cent in March, according to official statistics.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

Vietnam’s textile and footwear exporters are no longer focused only on growth; they are racing to keep up with a rapidly tightening rulebook set by the European Union (EU), which is also one of the country’s most important export destinations.

With sustainability benchmarks rising, companies are rethinking how they produce and deliver, pivoting toward greener, more circular models that reduce waste, emissions, and resource use.

The stakes are high. In 2025, Vietnam’s exports to the EU reportedly reached $56.2 billion, up 10.1 per cent year on year, underscoring how pivotal Europe is for the country’s manufacturing base.

Vietnam’s textile and footwear exporters are accelerating sustainability efforts as stricter EU regulations reshape market access requirements.
Rising compliance pressure from measures such as CBAM and ESPR is pushing manufacturers toward circular production, cleaner technologies and greater supply-chain transparency, though limited green finance remains a major challenge for smaller firms.

The EU market, nevertheless, comes with its own challenges as access to this market increasingly depends on meeting strict environmental and product-design requirements.

The EU is rolling out an ambitious sustainability agenda, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). Together, these measures are changing what global suppliers must document, design, and decarbonise.

ESPR shifts expectations toward durability, repairability, and recyclability, while pushing manufacturers to reduce products’ overall environmental footprint. Supply chains are also expected to become more transparent through Digital Product Passports, and practices such as destroying unsold goods being phased out gradually.

For Vietnam’s exporters, compliance is becoming a baseline requirement to keep EU orders and remain competitive.

Recognising this, both the Government and industry players are stepping up. Vietnam’s long-term development strategy for textiles and footwear, which stretches to 2030 with a vision toward 2035, places sustainability at its core. The plan charts a path toward efficient, environmentally responsible growth anchored in a circular economy, where materials are reused, waste is minimised, and production cycles are closed rather than linear.

Crucially, it also provides a legal backbone to help businesses align with global sustainability trends.

On the ground, change is already underway. Textile and apparel manufacturers are investing in renewable energy, upgrading machinery, and fine-tuning production processes to cut emissions and resource use. These shifts are not just about compliance; they are about future-proofing operations in a market where green credentials increasingly determine who wins contracts.

However, the transition has not been entirely seamless. A key barrier seems to be access to green finance, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. Large firms can more readily fund clean technologies and certification, while smaller suppliers often struggle to fund the shift, risking exclusion from high-value export markets if they cannot keep pace.

There is also a growing recognition that policy support needs to go further. As Vietnam leans into a circular economy, industry voices are calling for a more cohesive and comprehensive framework, one that not only sets clear standards for circular products but also actively incentivises recycling, cleaner production, and sustainable innovation.

Without this, progress risks being uneven, with smaller firms left behind.

Momentum is, nevertheless, building as manufacturers and policymakers push for better-aligned standards and support mechanisms. The goal is to narrow the gap between sustainability ambition and day-to-day implementation across the sector.

The aim is clear: create an ecosystem where businesses of all sizes can invest in circular solutions, strengthen their export capabilities, and meet the EU’s exacting standards head-on.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)

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