Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - Bangladesh’s gross foreign exchange (forex) reserves remained above the US$34-billion mark even after settling $1.51 billion in import payment obligations to the member countries of the Asian Clearing Union (ACU).
Following the payment for the March-April period of 2026, the country’s gross forex reserves fell to $34.14 billion on Sunday from $35.62 billion on the previous working day.
Under the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, sixth edition (BPM6), the reserves stood at $30.96 billion during the period under review, up from $29.48 billion earlier, according to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bank (BB).
“Our forex reserves remain at a satisfactory level even after making the routine payment to the ACU,” a senior official of the central bank said in response to a query.
He added that Bangladesh is now capable of meeting more than five months’ worth of import payment obligations with its existing reserves.
“Higher remittance inflows and lower import payment obligations have contributed to an improvement in the country’s forex reserve position,” the central banker said.
According to the official, the central bank’s purchase of US dollars from commercial banks has also helped boost the reserves in recent months.
Bangladesh Bank has so far purchased $5.75 billion directly from banks since July 13 last year under the prevailing free-floating exchange rate regime, according to central bank data.
“We are now prioritising the stability of the US dollar exchange rate against the local currency despite ongoing geopolitical tensions,” the central banker said in response to another query.
He also noted that the country’s gross forex reserves could exceed $37 billion by the end of June if the government secures at least $2.0 billion in foreign loans.
Meanwhile, the ACU payment rose to $1.51 billion during the latest settlement period from $1.37 billion previously, mainly due to higher imports from ACU member countries, particularly India.
Under the existing arrangement, member countries settle outstanding import bills and related interest every two months.
Bangladesh imports various consumer goods, cotton, raw materials and capital machinery from ACU member countries, especially neighbouring India, according to central bankers.
The ACU is a regional arrangement involving Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, through which intraregional transactions among participating central banks are settled on a multilateral basis.
BBN/SSR/AD