Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Exchange rate of the US dollar against the Bangladesh Taka (BDT) in the open market, known as kerb market, has increased substantially ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr festival, traders said.
The cash US currency has reached its maximum rate of BDT 83.00 on Thursday, the last working day before the Eid vacation, as the demand for the US dollar has increased significantly to meet the growing demand of the outbound passengers.
A section of people with their family members are flying abroad to celebrate the Eid festival, the traders said, adding that this has pushed the exchange rate of the US currency to such a level in the open market.
“The traders have sold the US dollar at BDT 82.20-83.00 on the day. But the rate started showing a falling trend from this week," a senior currency trader told BBN in Dhaka.
"A good number of people, including businessmen, are flying to different countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore to celebrate the ongoing nine-daylong Eid holiday," the currency trader explained.
"It's a temporary phenomenon. We expect that the rate will come down again to Tk 80.20-80.60 in the kerb market from the second week of July,” a senior official of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) told BBN.
He also said the exchange rate of the US dollar has increased suddenly in the market following the rising demand for the greenback ahead of the Eid festival.
BBN/SSR/AD