A range of industry leaders in Bangladesh have welcomed a new initiative to publish a regular manufacturing index aimed at improving transparency and data availability across the sector.
The project, jointly led by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies and the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries, seeks to produce the “BIDS–BCI Industry 100 Index”, a quarterly measure tracking the performance of large and medium-scale manufacturing firms.
The initiative was discussed at a stakeholder consultation held at BIDS headquarters in Dhaka on Saturday morning.
The session was chaired by A K Enamul Haque, Director General of BIDS, with Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, president of BCI attending as chief guest. The keynote paper was presented by Kazi Iqbal, Research Director at BIDS.
Speaking at the event, Professor Haque said the absence of reliable, real-time data has long hindered meaningful assessments of Bangladesh’s industrial performance. While commentary on whether the sector is improving or declining is common, he noted, such claims are rarely supported by robust evidence.
He explained that the new index aims to address this gap by systematically collecting, processing and analysing industry data. BIDS will lead the technical aspects of the research, while collaboration with industry bodies such as BCI will be essential for data access and sectoral insights.
Mr Chowdhury echoed the need for better data, arguing that Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector often lacks adequate policy support and is sometimes conflated with services or trading activities. He said policymakers, investors and business owners would benefit from timely and accurate information, particularly in efforts to attract foreign investment and support new entrepreneurs.
“The availability of real-time data on manufacturing will help ensure more informed decision-making across the board,” he said, adding that BIDS is well placed to deliver a credible and impactful index.
According to Dr Iqbal, the index will be compiled on a quarterly basis using a proprietary model developed by BIDS. The research will focus on key sectors including ready-made garments, textiles and spinning, pharmaceuticals, plastics and rubber, leather goods, food processing, light engineering, furniture, automobiles, ICT and software, electronics, ceramics, cement, and metals such as iron and steel.
Industry representatives attending the consultation expressed broad support for the initiative and pledged cooperation in providing data. Participants included senior figures from trade associations and manufacturing firms spanning garments, steel, cement, automotive and pharmaceutical industries.
The organisers hope that the index will serve as a critical tool for policymakers and investors, while offering a clearer, data-driven picture of Bangladesh’s evolving industrial landscape.