the currencies of India and Pakistan have depreciated against the dollar in recent months, making their goods cheaper, while the Bangladeshi taka has remained steady."Garment exports grew over 40 percent in the first quarter as orders meant for China directed to Bangladesh because of its cheap production cost,' said trade expert Mustafizur Rahman, a visiting Yale University professor."But it started to slow down sharply since October as China has withdrawn taxes and pumped incentives to its apparel manufacturers to cushion against global recession," he said.The BGMEA, which groups 4,500 export-oriented garment factories, said firms need subsidies worth 10 percent of the value of their exports to stay competitive.