BD forex reserves rise to $35.33bn, IMF-adjusted figure at $30.58bn

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have climbed to $35.33 billion, according to the latest figures released by the Bangladesh Bank on Tuesday, offering a snapshot of the country’s external liquidity position amid ongoing global economic uncertainty.

The central bank said that under its conventional accounting method, total reserves stood at $35.33 billion. However, when calculated under the International Monetary Fund’s Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM-6) framework, the reserve figure was lower at $30.58 billion.

The difference reflects the IMF’s stricter methodology, which excludes certain assets that may not be readily available for immediate balance-of-payments support. Bangladesh adopted the BPM-6 reporting format as part of reforms linked to its IMF-supported programme aimed at improving transparency and aligning reserve reporting with international standards.

Foreign exchange reserves are a critical indicator of a country’s ability to meet import bills, service external debt and stabilise its currency. For Bangladesh, which relies heavily on imports of fuel, food grains and industrial raw materials, maintaining a stable reserve buffer remains central to macroeconomic management.

The country has faced pressure on its reserves in recent years due to higher global commodity prices, rising energy import costs and foreign debt repayments. However, remittance inflows and export earnings have provided some support to the external account.

Economists say the headline reserve figure suggests gradual stabilisation, though the IMF-adjusted number provides a clearer measure of immediately usable reserves. The central bank continues to monitor inflows, currency movements and global market conditions as it seeks to strengthen external resilience.

The latest update comes at a time when many emerging economies are balancing exchange rate management with efforts to curb inflation and sustain growth in a volatile global environment.