Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), a leading economic indicator, which will help to understand the country’s economic health, and direct to reform policy to be announced finally each month from many this year.

Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) launched the index in collaboration with Policy Exchange Bangladesh (PEB), with the support of the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).

“The index will be finally announced from April/May this year.  We initially launched our activity in 2022. After long discussion with different stakeholders, we started our pilot survey. We have already completed our two surveys on major economic sectors particularly agriculture, construction, manufacturing and services,” PEB chairman Dr M Masrur Reaz said.

He made the remarks at a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with journalists on the PMI for Bangladesh at the programme held at MCCI’s Motijheel office in Dhaka on Saturday.

Dr Masrur added that they will go in final round after completing addition two surveys which would complete by April. The programme was formally launched in Bangladesh on 5 February 2024.

The PEB Chairman said that since the PMI offered quantified description, comparison and quantification were possible. He believed it would be beneficial for making decisions and policies.  

“The PMI is the best practice in the globe to know economic direction of a country. It will help policy makers to take action plan timely. Bangladesh has not proper and updated data on trade market.  All businessmen, investors and policymakers have to face a problem,” he also added.