Bangladesh’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) recorded an expansion rate of 64.6 in February, marking continued economic growth across key sectors.

However, the pace of expansion varied, with agriculture and manufacturing growing faster and construction and services posting slower growth rates.

The PMI, jointly released by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka, and Policy Exchange Bangladesh (PEB), provides timely insights into the country’s economic health.

Developed with support from the UK Government and technical assistance from the Singapore Institute of Purchasing & Materials Management (SIPMM), the index aims to guide businesses, investors, and policymakers.

Agriculture recorded its fifth consecutive month of expansion, with growth in new business, business activity, input costs, and order backlogs. Employment contraction slowed.

Manufacturing expanded for the sixth month, with stronger new orders, factory output, input purchases, and supplier deliveries. However, new exports, finished goods, imports, and employment grew at a slower rate while order backlogs contracted further.

Construction saw its third month of expansion but at a reduced pace, with slower growth in new business and activity. Input costs rose faster, while employment returned to growth.

Services expanded for the fifth month, though at a slower rate, with weaker growth in new business, activity, and employment. Order backlogs turned negative while input costs increased.