Dhaka, Aug. 6 -- Bangladesh's spinners and traders still prefer India as a key destination in importing cotton and yarn due to factors like proximity, lower transportation costs and easy availability of essential raw material, industry insiders have said.

Because of such advantages, they usually import larger volume of cotton from the neighboring India, according to them.

Data, compiled by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) based on central bank figures, revealed that Bangladesh imported 19.40 per cent of its required raw cotton worth of US$ 684 million from India in the fiscal year of 2023-24.

Bangladesh imported US$ 3.52 billion worth of cotton --carded and combed-- in the fiscal year 2023-24, accordin...