The gross forex reserves rose to $35.04 billion on the day, up from $33.87 billion the previous day, according to the central bank’s traditional calculation method.

Under the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Balance of Payments International Investment Poisson Manual-six edition, generally known as BMP6, the forex reserves stood at $30.37 billion during the period under review from $30.20 billion.

“Hefty growth in inward remittances has boosted overall foreign exchange inflows rather than outflows, despite the Middle East conflict,” a senior official of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) said, explaining the improvement in the forex reserves.

The flow of inward remittances grew by more than 21 per cent to $1.79 billion during April 01-15 this calendar year, up from $1.47 billion in the same period of last year.

The central banker also said the country’s overall import payment obligations remain relatively low, at around $6.0 billion per month, despite volatility in oil prices.

On the other hand, the central bank intervened into the forex market again on Thursday through purchasing $50 million through auction from four banks in the interbank spot market to keep the exchange rate of the US dollar against the local currency stable.

The amount was bought under the Multiple Price Auction method and the cutoff rate was BDT 122.75 per dollar, according to the central bank officials.

A day earlier, the central bank resumed dollar purchases after a six-week pause, signalling renewed intervention to stabilise the exchange rate of the US dollar against the local currency amid a surge in remittance inflows.

The central bank purchased $70 million on Wednesday from a Shariah-based bank in a similar auction.

The ongoing intervention is also contributing to a gradual strengthening of the country’s foreign exchange reserves, according to the officials.

 “We’re purchasing the US dollars from banks directly to absorb the higher inflow of remittances,” another central banker said.

He also added that such intervention helps keep the exchange rate of the US dollar against the local currency stable, which in turn encourages both exporters and remitters.

The central bank of Bangladesh has so far bought $5.61 billion from banks directly since July 13 last under the prevailing free-floating   exchange rate arrangement, the central bank’s latest data showed.

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The amount was bought under the Multiple Price Auction method and the cutoff rate was BDT 122.75 per dollar, according to the central bank officials.

Just a day before, the Bangladesh Bank (BB) resumed dollar purchases after a six-week pause, signalling renewed intervention to stabilise the exchange rate of the US dollar against the local currency amid a surge in remittance inflows.

The central bank purchased $70 million on Wednesday from a Shariah-based bank in a similar auction.

The central bank of Bangladesh has so far bought $5.61 billion from banks directly since July 13 last under the prevailing free-floating   exchange rate arrangement, the central bank’s latest data showed.

The inflow of US dollars has increased in recent months due to lower import payment obligations and a stronger flow of inward remittances, according to market operators.

They also said such intervention will help keep the exchange rate stable despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions.

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The cut-off yield—commonly known as the interest rate—on Bangladesh Government Treasury Bonds (BGTBs) rose to 10.75 per cent from 10.22 per cent earlier, according to auction results.

“Most banks are not interested in investing their excess funds in long-term government securities like BGTBs in order to manage their portfolios efficiently,” a senior official of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) said, explaining the latest market situation.

Higher government borrowing from banks also contributed to the rise in yields, the central banker added.

On the day, the government raised BDT 30 billion through BGTBs to partially finance its budget deficit, up from BDT 25 billion in the previous auction. Government borrowing from the banking system typically increases in the final quarter of the fiscal year.

Currently, five government bonds, with tenures of two, five, 10, 15 and 20 years, are traded on the market.

Besides, four treasury bills (T-bills) are transacted through auction to adjust government borrowings from the banking system.

The T-bills have 14-day, 91-day, 182-day and 364-day maturity periods.

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Inflation as measured by the consumers' price index (CPI) fell to 8.71 per cent in March 2026 from 9.13 per cent of the previous month on the point-to-point basis, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS)’s latest data, released on Sunday.

The inflation in the case of food items came down to 8.24 per cent in March 2026 from 9.30 per cent a month before while the non-food inflation rose to 9.09 per cent from 9.01 per cent on the point-to-point basis.

On the other hand, the inflation came down to 8.60 per cent during the period under review from 8.65 per cent a month ago on the 12-month average basis, the BBS data showed.

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“ADB will deliver rapid, flexible, and scalable assistance to help countries manage immediate pressures and strengthen long-term resilience,” ADB President Masato Kanda said in a statement.

The support will include fast-disbursing budget assistance and trade and supply-chain financing to secure imports of essential goods, including oil, he added.

The Manila-based lender said it has sufficient resources to safeguard existing and planned operations while expanding emergency support in line with DMC needs, including through its countercyclical lending buffer. The bank is closely monitoring global market developments, particularly energy price volatility, inflationary pressures, and external account risks across Asia and the Pacific.

ADB’s latest analysis shows that disruptions to key shipping routes have already raised transport costs and delivery times. Supply risks extend beyond energy to critical industrial inputs such as petrochemicals and fertilisers, posing potential challenges for agriculture and food production. Economies dependent on tourism and remittances are also facing heightened vulnerabilities, while tighter financial conditions are putting pressure on currencies and capital flows.

In response, ADB said it stands ready to provide timely financial and technical support to help countries manage risks, maintain macroeconomic stability, and protect vulnerable populations.

The support package has two main components. The first is fast-disbursing budget support for countries facing fiscal pressures, including the use of the bank’s Countercyclical Support Facility to help governments stabilise their economies and cushion the impact on livelihoods.

The second component is ADB’s Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP), which supports the private sector to ensure continued flow of critical imports, including energy and food. The bank has decided to reactivate support for oil imports under the programme on an exceptional and temporary basis, citing the sharp rise in oil prices and supply chain disruptions.

ADB said it has begun discussions with severely affected DMCs on possible immediate support and will continue working with governments, development partners and the private sector to ensure coordinated responses aimed at maintaining economic stability and protecting vulnerable groups.

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The main congregation under DSCC will be held at the National Eidgah ground adjacent to the Supreme Court premises at 8:30am. DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam, after inspecting the venue, said all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth and peaceful congregation.

The prime minister, chief justice, cabinet members, diplomats, and other senior officials are expected to attend the Eidgah congregation, he added.

The Eidgah, spanning around 25,400 square metres, can accommodate approximately 35,000 devotees at a time. A large covered structure has been set up with adequate fans, lighting, and air-cooling facilities. Separate prayer spaces and entry routes have also been arranged for women.

Authorities have taken contingency measures in case of rain, including waterproof coverings and rapid drainage systems. If weather conditions worsen, the main congregation will be shifted to Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 9:00am.

Facilities have been arranged for around 140 people to perform ablution simultaneously, alongside provisions for safe drinking water, emergency medical services, and mobile toilets.

Law enforcement agencies will maintain strict surveillance, with archway screening at entrances. Four entry and seven exit gates have been designated to ensure smooth crowd movement, while fire service units will remain on standby. Worshippers have been advised not to carry sharp or flammable objects.

Meanwhile, DNCC will hold its main Eid congregation at the old trade fair ground in Agargaon at 8:00am. DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan said comprehensive measures have been taken to ensure a hassle-free gathering.

A steel-structured shed has been installed to prevent disruption in case of rainfall. Arrangements have been made for around 10,000 worshippers, with scope to expand capacity if required. Separate prayer areas and entry routes have also been designated for women.

Security measures include archway screening at entry points and deployment of a large number of law enforcement personnel.

Officials said the coordinated efforts by the two city corporations aim to ensure that residents can offer Eid prayers in a safe, orderly, and comfortable environment.

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The Bangladesh Bank (BB), the country’s central bank, issued a directive in this regard on Sunday, introducing a comprehensive new guideline for banks as part of broader efforts to promote a cashless economy and strengthen governance in credit card operations.

Under the revised framework, the ceiling for unsecured credit card loans has been increased to BDT 2.0 million from the previous BDT 1.0 million, allowing banks to extend higher credit facilities to customers without requiring collateral.

The latest directive comes amid a rapid rise in credit card usage in the country, particularly for everyday retail transactions, online purchases and bill payments.

According to the BB, the updated framework consolidates earlier circulars into a **comprehensive regulatory structure** designed to address emerging operational challenges and modernise credit card management in the banking sector.

The new guidelines place emphasis on strengthening risk management, safeguarding customer rights, enhancing transparency in transactions and encouraging responsible lending practices by banks.

The central bank also said the initiative aims to create a more secure and transparent payment environment, supporting the gradual expansion of digital transactions and the development of a cashless financial system in Bangladesh.

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Market participants said the cautious lending environment has prompted banks to prefer risk-free instruments, while ongoing geopolitical uncertainties have dampened business confidence and borrowing appetite.

According to the latest auction results, the cut-off yield—generally known as the interest rate—on the 91-day T-bills remained unchanged at 9.89 per cent from the previous level.

However, the yield on 82-day T-bills edged up slightly to 10.00 per cent from 9.99 per cent, while the yield on 364-day T-bills remained stable at 10.00 per cent.

On the day, the government raised BDT 82.50 billion through the issuance of three tenors of T-bills to partially finance its budget deficit.

“Most banks preferred to invest their excess liquidity in risk-free government securities due to lower private sector credit demand amid ongoing geopolitical tensions,” a senior official of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) said while explaining the latest market situation.

Recent data from the central bank show that private sector credit growth slowed to 6.03 per cent year-on-year in January 2026, down from 6.10 per cent in December last, indicating weak investment appetite in the real economy.

Analysts said the combination of soft credit demand and comfortable liquidity in the banking system has continued to support banks’ appetite for government securities, keeping yields relatively stable in recent auctions.

The BB official also indicated that the current trend in government security yields may persist in the coming weeks if liquidity conditions remain comfortable and credit demand fails to pick up significantly.

Currently, four types of Treasury bills—14-day, 91-day, 182-day and 364-day —are auctioned regularly to help adjust government borrowings from the banking system.

In addition, five government bonds with maturities of two, five, 10, 15 and 20 years are traded in the domestic debt market, providing longer-term investment instruments for banks and other institutional investors.

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The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources said the restrictions were lifted to facilitate smooth travel during the upcoming Eid holidays and to support farmers’ fuel needs during the ongoing boro cultivation season.

With the improvement in supply, fuel will now be available at all distribution points according to demand with immediate effect and until further notice.

The government had earlier introduced rationing and other controls as a precautionary measure amid concerns over possible disruptions in the international fuel market due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Fears of a potential oil shortage spread across the country after uncertainty emerged in the global fuel market linked to the Middle East situation. As many buyers began purchasing more fuel than required, the government imposed limits on petrol, octane and diesel sales from March 6 to keep supply stable.

Under that directive, motorcycles were allowed to purchase up to two litres of fuel per day.

The limit was set at 20–25 litres for sports utility vehicles and microbuses, 70–80 litres for pickup vans and local buses, and 200–220 litres per day for long-distance buses, trucks, covered vans and container trucks.

The cap for ride-sharing motorcycles was later raised from two litres to five litres in response to demand from riders.

With the withdrawal of these limits, consumers will once again be able to purchase fuel according to their needs.

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All scheduled banks are now allowed to extend overdraft or term loan facilities to customers by keeping Treasury Bonds as collateral, according to a notification, issued by the Bangladesh Bank (BB), on Wednesday.

However, the securities must first be marked as ‘lien’ in the Financial Market Infrastructure (FMI) system before providing any loan facilities to clients.

A lien is a legal right or claim that a lender has over an asset (the T-bonds) belonging to a borrower.

The BB latest moves came after the banks expressed interest in offering credit facilities backed by T-bonds, as bonds placed under lien have now been recognised as eligible collateral.

Earlier on November 27, 2024, the central bank asked scheduled banks to follow specific conditions when providing credit facilities against government securities.

“Banks have expressed their interest in extending credit facilities to clients against Treasury Bonds held under lien,” the central bank said in the notification.

The central bank has capped such lending at a maximum of 75 per cent of the face value of the T-bonds used as collateral.

The banks have also been instructed to ensure that the outstanding loan amount does not exceed the bond’s face value under any circumstances, including due to accrued interest, the notification added.

In addition, the maturity of the loan must not exceed the maturity period of the underlying bond, a measure designed to avoid potential asset-liability mismatches and repayment risks.

The notification also bars the banks from extending loans for the purpose of purchasing T-bonds, a step aimed at preventing leveraged investment in government securities.

The move will enable investors to unlock liquidity from their bond holdings without selling them in the market, according to bankers.

“This facility may help investors manage short-term liquidity needs while retaining their investments in government securities,” a senior treasury official at a leading private commercial bank said while replying to a query.

Market participants believe the decision could also strengthen activity in the government bond market by making T-bonds more versatile financial instruments.

Treasury officials noted that allowing loans against bonds could encourage institutional investors, corporates and high-net-worth individuals to hold government securities for longer periods, as they would have the option to access liquidity when needed.

Currently, five Bangladesh Government Treasury Bonds with maturities of two, five, 10, 15 and 20 years are traded in the market.

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