Dhaka, March 18 -- A sweeping United States investigation into forced labour practices has cast a shadow over global supply chains, placing Bangladesh alongside 59 other countries under scrutiny.

While some observers warn of potential risks to exports, government and industry leaders in Dhaka insist there is little cause for alarm.

The probe, led by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), seeks to determine whether governments are taking sufficient steps to prevent goods produced with forced labour from entering American markets.

For Bangladesh, the stakes are high: the US is its largest export destination, with the ready-made garment (RMG) sector at the forefront.

For now, officials and industry leaders in Bangladesh see th...