Dhaka, Oct. 4 -- Garments, which bring in more than 80 percent of earnings, are the first sector that comes to mind when thinking of Bangladesh's exports.

Jute, home textiles, frozen shrimp and leather goods follow, yet the pharmaceutical industry - rarely in the spotlight - has quietly come a long way.

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data show the country exported $44.2 million worth of medicines in fiscal 2010-11. The figure rose to $238.5 million in 2025-26, nearly 5.5 times higher in 16 years.

The first quarter of 2026-27 shows the momentum continuing.

Exports reached $76.6 million in July-September, against $54.54 million a year earlier, a rise of about 40 percent.

September saw the sharpest growth, with almost $30 million exporte...