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Bangladesh's economic activities gained pace in September 2025, with the country's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rising to its highest level in recent months.
The key gauge of overall economic momentum increased to 59.1, up from 58.3 in August, according to data released Tuesday by PMI Bangladesh, jointly developed by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and Policy Exchange Bangladesh.
The latest data signal a faster expansion driven largely by manufacturing, while agriculture and construction returned to growth after earlier slowdowns.
A PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a figure below 50 signals contraction.
The index climbed 0.8 points to reach 59.1 in September, suggesting stronger economic momentum, largely fuelled by faster growth in the manufacturing sector, the press release stated.
"The manufacturing sector posted its 13th consecutive month of expansion, and at a faster rate," the report noted.
The sector recorded expansion readings across several indicators, including new orders, export orders, factory output, input purchases, finished goods, imports, input prices, and supplier deliveries.
The construction and agriculture sectors also returned to expansion territory after periods of contraction.
The agriculture sector posted gains in new business, business activity, input costs, and employment while construction showed growth in new business, construction activity, and input costs.
However, the services sector which contributes more than half of Bangladesh's GDP, experienced slower growth, with its index easing to 58.7 in September from 61.3 in August.
The index for order backlogs showed a slower rate of contraction, while the employment index reverted to expansion after four months of decline.
"The overall Bangladesh economy continued to expand at a slightly faster rate in September," said Dr M. Masrur Reaz, Chairman and CEO of Policy Exchange Bangladesh.
He attributed the rebound in agriculture and construction to improved weather conditions and the gradual rollout of the new fiscal year budget.
"The service sector posted a slower expansion possibly due to persistent higher inflation on the economy", he added.
jasimharoon@yahoo.com