DHAKA, March 8, (V7N) - Bangladesh’s point‑to‑point inflation climbed to 9.13 percent in February, up from 8.58 percent in January, driven by a sharp rise in food prices, according to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). The release comes on the same day the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) announced a US$15.34 million foreign investment to establish a high‑end garments factory in the BEPZA Economic Zone in Mirsharai, Chattogram.

Food inflation rose to 9.30 percent in February from 8.29 percent a month earlier, while non‑food inflation increased slightly to 9.01 percent. Rural areas continued to experience higher price pressures than urban centres, with rural inflation rising to 9.21 percent, compared with 9.07 percent in urban areas.

Urban food inflation saw the sharpest jump, reaching 9.87 percent, up from 8.61 percent in January. Despite the month‑on‑month rise, the 12‑month moving average inflation eased to 8.65 percent, down from 10.31 percent a year earlier.

Wage growth, however, continued to lag behind inflation. The national wage index rose 8.06 percent year‑on‑year in February, with agriculture wages up 8.10 percent, industry wages up 7.99 percent, and services wages up 8.20 percent.

Amid rising inflationary pressure, Bangladesh received a boost on the investment front as Flourish Garments Bangladesh Co., Ltd., a China (Hong Kong)-based company, signed an agreement to invest US$15.34 million in a new manufacturing facility at the BEPZA Economic Zone.

The agreement was signed at the BEPZA Complex in Dhaka by Md Tanvir Hossain, Executive Director (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA, and Han Junxiao, Managing Director of Flourish Garments. BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain witnessed the ceremony.

Under the project, the company will produce around 4 million pieces of garments annually, including jackets, coats, T‑shirts, jeans, sportswear, faux leather clothing and other high‑value apparel items. The factory is expected to create employment for about 1,988 Bangladeshi workers.

The inflation data and new investment announcement come at a time when Bangladesh’s external sector remains under pressure due to rising import costs, slower export growth and elevated global commodity prices. Analysts say foreign investment in export‑oriented industries will be crucial for supporting job creation and stabilising the balance of payments in the months ahead.

END/AJ/RH