According to statistics released by the Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladeshi exports rose by $1,199.12 million, 18.98% in the first nine months of the current financial year. During the July-March period of 2005-06, total exports from the country reached $7,517.40 million, compared with $6,318.28 million during the corresponding period of the prior year. Earnings from leather products were $181.88 million during the nine-month period, registering a 14.5% growth over the same period last year.