Foreign Currency Reserves See Growth

Feb 18, 2026
Business

Symbolic Image: Bangladesh Bank (Collected)

PNN News Desk, Dhaka

Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves have shown a recent positive trend. As of 17 February, the country’s total (gross) reserves rose to 34,539.50 million USD, roughly 34.53 billion dollars, according to Bangladesh Bank.

Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and spokesperson for the central bank, stated that reserves have improved according to international standards. Based on the IMF’s BPM6 (Balance of Payments Manual-6), reserves stand at 29,859.37 million USD, or 29.85 billion USD.

Previously, as of 9 February, gross reserves were 34.06 billion USD, and BPM6 reserves were 29.47 billion USD. In just one week, both indicators saw slight increases.

Economists suggest that inflows from expatriates, growth in export earnings, and foreign loan disbursements may have contributed to this increase. However, import expenditure and pressures to repay foreign debt remain significant factors.

Net reserves are calculated according to IMF BPM6 standards, which deduct short-term foreign liabilities from total reserves. Hence, there is a difference between gross and net reserves.

Overall, this recent upward trend signals some relief in the balance of foreign transactions, according to experts.