The Bangladesh Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) surged to 61.5 in July, marking an 8.4-point rise from the previous month and signalling a faster pace of expansion in the economy, according to the latest PMI data.The increase was primarily driven by stronger performances in the manufacturing and services sectors.The construction sector also rebounded to expansion after contracting in June, while growth in agriculture slowed during the month.The PMI is a forward-looking indicator used globally to gauge economic direction. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 indicates contraction.Manufacturing marked its 11th consecutive month of expansion, supported by gains in new orders, factory output, input purchases, and imports.<figure><img src="https://database.innoviaengineering.com/images/pmi-july-1783247846562-03a6ce.png" alt=""><figcaption>Photo: MCCI</figcaption></figure>However, the sector's new export and employment indexes both registered contraction readings.The services sector posted its 10th straight month of growth, with faster expansion in new business, activity, employment, input costs, and order backlogs.Construction returned to growth, posting expansion in new business, construction activity, and input costs. Its employment index, however, contracted for the third consecutive month.Agriculture recorded its 10th month of expansion, but at a slower pace, owing to reduced activity and new business during the lean period and due to monsoon disruptions.While order backlogs grew at a faster rate, employment declined for the second consecutive month.The future business index indicated slower expansion in agriculture, manufacturing, and services, but a faster rate in construction."The latest PMI readings indicate that the overall Bangladesh economy expanded in July, primarily driven by growth in the services and manufacturing sectors, with exports hitting an all-time monthly high of $4.77 billion.The agricultural sector, however, recorded slower expansion in July, reflecting the lean period and monsoon disruptions," said M Masrur Reaz, chairman and CEO of the Policy Exchange Bangladesh (PEB).The MCCI and PEB began publishing the PMI in January last year. Initiated by the UK government, it covers over 500 private sector firms across agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and services.

Accusamus consequatur consequuntur, enim error eum ipsum iusto maxime minima modi molestias quisquam quos temporibus tenetur, totam voluptate! Dignissimos error, sapiente? Aliquid asperiores consequatur delectus earum enim error illo, incidunt magnam minus obcaecati quasi repudiandae velit veritatis? Asperiores cum earum, esse, eum ex fuga in ipsa labore laborum nam odit perferendis porro possimus quas, quis rem tenetur.

Ad asperiores consequuntur expedita quas quia reiciendis voluptate! Ab adipisci alias architecto beatae debitis ducimus, eaque expedita explicabo facere fugit harum ipsam iste itaque laudantium, minima mollitia necessitatibus nemo possimus praesentium quam quis reiciendis reprehenderit rerum sequi similique sit totam vero. Accusantium blanditiis consectetur cumque deleniti dicta eligendi eos error eveniet expedita facere fugit ipsa iusto labore minima mollitia nemo, nisi officiis pariatur placeat quasi quidem quis quisquam rerum temporibus vero. Accusamus blanditiis culpa eveniet explicabo nam numquam sint.

Architecto deserunt dolor eaque hic, libero minima totam ut voluptate voluptatibus! A alias cumque delectus dolorem dolores excepturi ipsum maxime minus quasi quisquam, reiciendis similique sit suscipit voluptatem voluptatibus? Aliquid atque dolor eius excepturi explicabo fugiat harum ipsum iure, libero magnam maiores minima nam nemo porro possimus praesentium repellendus reprehenderit saepe suscipit voluptates.

The Bangladesh Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) surged to 61.5 in July, marking an 8.4-point rise from the previous month and signalling a faster pace of expansion in the economy, according to the latest PMI data.

Business expansion accelerates in July: PMI

Italy keen to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh

The government has decided not to approve foreign nationals for jobs in Bangladesh's labour market where sufficient local manpower is available &ndash; such as factory operators, technicians, mid-level managers, and general project workers. Only the recruitment of expert-level employees will be approved.
This decision was made to create employment opportunities for locals, reduce foreign currency expenditure, and prevent tax evasion. According to home ministry sources, the decision was made in a meeting chaired by Md Siraj Uddin Miah, the chief adviser's principal secretary, in mid-April.
Sources reveal that it was also decided in the meeting that work permits of current foreign general workers will not be renewed after expiration. Three teams of the Special Branch (SB) of police have been working to find out instances of violation of visa criteria. <img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://www.tbsnews.net/sites/default/files/styles/big_3/public/images/2020/12/22/bangladesh_government.jpg" alt="Official seal of the Government of Bangladesh" width="534" height="301"> 
Photo: Official seal of the Government of Bangladesh
<div class="hide-for-print mb-20 text-center">&nbsp;</div>
If a foreigner is found to be working for a different organisation or job from what was approved, they will be blacklisted and deported. Several foreigners have already been deported for violating visa terms or being involved in crimes.
Furthermore, on-arrival visas will be stopped for nationals of countries where Bangladesh has embassies. However, exceptions will be made for those attending government-arranged programmes and international or bilateral tournaments and people with defence, UN agencies, and diplomatic assignments. On-arrival visas will not be issued to athletes from sports other than cricket, especially footballers.
<div class="hide-for-print mb-20 text-center">&nbsp;</div>
A software system is also being launched to create a database of foreign workers. The home ministry is expected to issue a circular soon about on-arrival visas and the integration of foreign nationals into the software system. An app for on-arrival visas has already been launched.
<div class="hide-for-print mb-20 text-center">&nbsp;</div>
Md Shamim Khan, additional secretary (Security and Immigration Division) of the home ministry, told TBS on 22 April that important decisions have been made regarding foreign work permits, software/online database systems, and on-arrival visas. However, until the circular is issued, all parties must comply with the current rules.
On 8 December last year, the ministry issued a notice, urging foreign nationals illegally staying in Bangladesh to regularise their status with proper documentation. Another notice from the ministry gave a deadline of 31 January this year to apply for legal status.
<div class="hide-for-print mb-20 text-center">&nbsp;</div>
Then on 3 February, the government formed an 11-member task force, headed by Additional Secretary Shamim Khan, to determine actions regarding illegal foreign nationals in Bangladesh.
The National Security Intelligence reported that as of September 2024, about 1,39,000 foreign nationals were residing legally in Bangladesh.
Home ministry sources said intelligence agencies reported in December last year that around 46,000 foreigners were staying illegally in the country. After the government's notice, around 15,000 foreigners left the country with exit passes, while the rest applied for legal status. Now approximately 1,75,000 foreigners are residing legally in Bangladesh.
Shamim Khan declined to comment on the exact number of foreigners, but said there are doubts about the accuracy of available data due to double counting and lack of clarity on whether people who arrived with on-arrival visas have left or stayed. He, however, estimated that over 50% of foreigners in Bangladesh are engaged in general labour.
According to a 2020 survey by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), at least 2,50,000 foreigners were working &ndash; legally or illegally &ndash; in Bangladesh. It estimated that at least $3.15 billion in remittances were being illegally transferred abroad annually, and tax evasion by these workers caused a minimum annual revenue loss of about Tk12,000 crore.
TIB's research found that citizens of over 44 countries are employed in various sectors in Bangladesh &ndash; mostly from India, China, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Germany, the USA, the UK, Turkey, Singapore, France, Indonesia, the Philippines, Norway, and Nigeria. The number of Russians in Bangladesh has also increased due to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
According to the home ministry, the largest number of foreign workers are employed in the ready-made garments (RMG) and textile sectors. Others work in development projects, multinational companies, power plants, international NGOs, the leather industry, healthcare, and the hospitality sector. Several thousand are students or athletes.
According to the Income Tax Ordinance, foreign nationals must pay 30% tax on income, which has to be deducted at source by their employer. Failure to do so can result in penalties for the employer or the foreign national, including a fine of Tk5 lakh or 50% of the payable tax and up to three years in prison.
Former BGMEA president Faruque Hassan told TBS that discouraging the hiring of operators, technicians, and mid-level managers won't be a problem because there are sufficient local workers. Many students graduate from BGMEA's Fashion Technology Universities in Dhaka and Chattogram nowadays, and other universities are also offering market-relevant courses. However, experts are still required from abroad when launching new products or in specialised fields.

The government has decided not to approve foreign nationals for jobs in Bangladesh's labour market where sufficient local manpower is available – such as factory operators, technicians, mid-level managers, and general project workers. Only the recruitment of expert-level employees will be approved.

Govt will no longer approve recruiting foreign general workers

Meraas, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has awarded a contract worth over AED 2 billion to Arabian Construction Company LLC for the construction of Design Quarter at d3, which includes the first residential community within Dubai Design District (d3), a global creative and design ecosystem. Scheduled for completion by mid-2027, Design Quarter at d3 will create a vibrant and creative living environment at the heart of the d3&rsquo;s masterplan. Residents will enjoy incredible views of the Dubai Canal and the picturesque Downtown skyline, providing an unparalleled backdrop. Unveiled earlier, Design Quarter at d3 comprises a collection of 558 carefully designed one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. These are spread across three buildings &ndash; one low-rise and two towering skyscrapers &ndash; nestled within a beautifully landscaped podium. This elevated podium serves as a communal area, linking the residential towers to form a social hub for the residents. This will include co-working spaces, an indoor-outdoor gym, pool facilities, barbecue areas and fun-filled zones for children's activities. Residents of Design Quarter at d3 will become part of one of the most bustling global creative hubs. d3 is home to some of the world&rsquo;s leading creative brands, designers, studios and entrepreneurs. Featuring a blend of high-end fashion stores, art galleries, design and creative institutes as well as a diverse culinary scene, d3 is a place where business, creativity and culture thrive. To ensure a car-free and pedestrian-friendly environment, car parking will be provided for the residential area through controlled access podium levels. Khalid Al Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate, said: &ldquo;We are delighted to partner with Arabian Construction Company LLC on this inaugural residential venture. This project not only encapsulates the spirit of artistic living but also contributes significantly to the long-term economic growth of the city in line with Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the 2040 Urban Master Plan. The construction of Design Quarter at d3, is a testament to our commitment to fostering creativity and innovation as crucial drivers for sustainable economic progress.&rdquo; Hamed Mikati, Chief Operation Officer, Arabian Construction Company LLC, added: "We are thrilled to contribute to this extraordinary development, a project that aligns with the exciting future of Dubai. Our collaboration with Meraas goes beyond construction, it's about fostering an ecosystem that nurtures creativity and innovation and contributing to Dubai's transformation into a dynamic, creative metropolis." Meraas&rsquo; projects form a unique blend of people-centric communities set against carefully planned master communities that are pivotal to realising Dubai&rsquo;s 2040 Urban Master Plan. &nbsp;

Meraas, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has awarded a contract worth over AED 2 billion to Arabian Construction Company LLC for the construction of Design Quarter at d3

Meraas awards more than AED 2 billion construction contract for Design Quarter at d3

Developed countries, including Japan, the Middle East and Europe will need about 40 million skilled workers by 2030 which is a great opportunity for Bangladesh, manpower exporters say.
Now it is the time for Bangladeshi manpower exporters to prepare with that goal in mind, they say.
Aiming to achieve the target, the Recruiting Agency Association of Bangladesh for Europe and Developed Countries (RAABED), a new platform, is going to kick off on Sunday, comprising manpower recruiting agencies, those have been exporting skilled manpower in developed countries, especially Europe.
Formal announcement of the organisation will be given with unveiling of its logo at a private club in the capital and the 10-member convener committee will be also announced at the same time.
Brigadier General (Retd.) Habibul Karim, the initiator of the organization and director of Manahill Overseas Limited, said that developed countries look to us for skilled people. By 2030, Japan, the Middle East and Europe will need about 40 million skilled workers, which is a great opportunity for Bangladesh. Now it is the high time for us to prepare with that goal in mind, he added.
The former army officer said, "We do not hesitate to admit that we lag far behind other Asian countries in terms of exporting skilled manpower. The government has taken various initiatives but how much have we achieved? What percentage of skilled manpower have we been able to create? We have to analyze it".
&nbsp;
<blockquote>
Manpower of certain age groups has to be motivated to acquire skills by providing motivation. For this, the initiative of government, non-governmental organizations and manpower exporting institutions is required, he said, Replying to a question, Brig General (retd) Habibul Karim said the main objective of formation of the organisation was to create labor markets in Europe and developed countries alongside Identifying and collectively addressing labor market bottlenecks in Europe and the developed world.
</blockquote>
&nbsp;
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://i.ibb.co/SfPhzmN/people-lining-in-the-airport-for-checkin.webp" alt="content image" width="602" height="316">
&nbsp;
Image: This image taken in the light house in November 2023
&nbsp;
Manpower of certain age groups has to be motivated to acquire skills by providing motivation. For this, the initiative of government, non-governmental organizations and manpower exporting institutions is required, he said.
Replying to a question, Brig General (retd) Habibul Karim said the main objective of formation of the organisation was to create labor markets in Europe and developed countries alongside Identifying and collectively addressing labor market bottlenecks in Europe and the developed world.

Replying to a question, Brig General (retd) Habibul Karim said the main objective of formation of the organisation was to create labor markets in Europe and developed countries alongside Identifying and collectively addressing labor market bottlenecks in Europe and the developed world.

Media

News & Events

2025-08-07

Business expansion accelerates in July: PMI

2025-04-24

Govt will no longer approve recruiting foreign general workers

2025-03-11

Meraas awards more than AED 2 billion construction contract for Design Quarter at d3

2023-11-07

RAABED emerges as new platform for exporting skilled manpower to developed countries

Head Office

Phone

Main Office

email

Innovia Engineering Overview

Quick Links

About Us

Our Services

Workforce Solution

Projects

Media

News & Events

2025-08-07

Business expansion accelerates in July: PMI

2025-04-24

Govt will no longer approve recruiting foreign general workers

2025-03-11

Meraas awards more than AED 2 billion construction contract for Design Quarter at d3

2023-11-07

RAABED emerges as new platform for exporting skilled manpower to developed countries

Head Office

Phone

Main Office

email

Innovia Engineering Overview

Quick Links