Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Bangladesh’s gross foreign exchange (forex) reserves remain above the US$31 billion mark even after the settlement of $1.60 billion in import payment obligations to the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) member countries on Sunday.
Following the payment for the September–October 2025 period, the country’s gross forex reserves stood at $31.14 billion, down from $32.71 billion on the previous working day, according to official figures.
“We’ve been working to build up our foreign exchange reserves since August 2024. Our reserves now stand at a satisfactory level, even after making the routine payment to the ACU,” a senior Bangladesh Bank (BB) official said.
He added that higher inflows of remittances and steady growth in export earnings have helped strengthen the country’s forex reserves.
The central bank’s dollar purchases from commercial banks have also contributed to the recent rise, he added.
Since July 13, the BB has bought $2.16 billion directly from banks through auctions under the prevailing free-floating exchange rate system.
Officials confirmed that the central bank has already remitted the funds to the ACU headquarters in Tehran in accordance with the union’s existing provisions, which require member countries to settle outstanding import bills and related interest at the end of every two months.
The ACU payment rose to $1.60 billion during the review period from $1.50 billion earlier, mainly due to higher imports from member countries.
Bangladesh currently imports various consumer goods, cotton, raw materials, and capital machinery, particularly from India, according to officials.
The Asian Clearing Union, established in November 1975, facilitates multilateral settlement of intraregional trade transactions among its members — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
Bangladesh and Myanmar joined the union in 1976 and 1977, followed by Bhutan in 1999 and the Maldives in 2010.
BBN/SSR/AD