- May 02, 2026
Staff Reporter | PNN:
The remarkable recovery of Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves and the unprecedented surge in remittance inflows signal a revival of economic stability and public confidence. This upward trend has helped stabilize the exchange rate and validated the effectiveness of Bangladesh Bank’s policies.
According to data released by Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday (October 29), the country’s current foreign exchange reserves stand at USD 32.15 billion. Calculated under the IMF’s BPM6 method, the reserves amount to USD 27.35 billion, equivalent to about five months of import payments. Although the ideal benchmark is to cover six months of imports, experts consider the current figure to be broadly reassuring.
Economists attribute this improvement primarily to the unprecedented growth in remittance inflows. In the 2024–25 fiscal year, remittances exceeded USD 30 billion, setting a new record. Between July and September of the current fiscal year, remittances reached USD 7.59 billion, marking a 16.23% increase compared to the same period last year.
Thomas Helbling, Deputy Director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, welcomed the rise in Bangladesh’s reserves, saying, “Reserve accumulation remains a core objective under the IMF-supported program, especially as external balance pressures persist.”
Dr. Zaidi Sattar, Chairman of the Policy Research Institute (PRI), remarked, “Macroeconomic stability has been restored, albeit modestly.” Renowned economist Dr. Zahid Hussain also emphasized the crucial role of remittance inflows in strengthening the economy.
Both government policy and market stability have contributed to the rise in formal remittance channels. The government’s 2.5% cash incentive has encouraged expatriates to send money through banking channels, while the decline in informal systems such as hundi and hawala has further boosted official remittance flows.
Bankers noted that the rise in remittances has brought significant relief to rural households, many of which depend heavily on expatriate income. Senior officials from Dutch-Bangla Bank and Premier Bank confirmed that this positive trend has continued since August 2024 and is playing a key role in rebuilding the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
Overall, the sustained growth in foreign reserves and remittances reflects renewed confidence and stability in Bangladesh’s economy, further strengthening the Bangladeshi Taka’s exchange rate.
