The best things to buy in Dhaka are textiles and handicrafts. Bangladesh is the world's second-largest garment exporter, and the locally produced muslin, jamdani (a fine woven cotton with intricate patterns), and nakshi kantha (hand-stitched quilts) are genuinely exceptional. Aarong, a fair-trade enterprise with multiple branches in the city, is the most reliable source — the quality is consistent and the prices, while higher than the market, reflect actual production costs.
For jamdani and raw fabric, the Baitul Mukarram market near the national mosque has good range at negotiable prices. Biswa Rang in Dhanmondi is another ethically run handicraft and textile shop with strong selection. For everyday imported goods, Bashundhara City Mall in Panthapath is the largest shopping centre in the country.
The stationery and bookshops around Nilkhet near the university are worth browsing — secondhand books (including English titles), notebooks, and art supplies at very low prices.