Dhaka, April 8 -- Bangladesh's private sector growth slowed in March, with the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) dropping 2.2 points from February to 53.5.

The slowdown was driven by contractions in manufacturing and construction, even as services and agriculture continued to expand.

The latest PMI, released jointly by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka and Policy Exchange Bangladesh, still indicates expansion but at a slower pace, mainly due to weaker growth in agriculture and downturns in manufacturing and construction.

PMI improves in February, indicating spike in economic confidence

Agriculture extended its expansion streak to seven months, though at a slower pace.

Business activity and input costs gre...