Bangladesh’s gross foreign exchange reserves have once again fallen below the $34 billion mark, driven primarily by the high cost of settling import bills for essential commodities, including fuel oil.
According to the latest data released by the central bank, total reserves stood at $33.99 billion as of the close of business on Sunday, March 29, 2026. Under the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) BPM6 manual—a specialized accounting method—the reserves are currently valued at $29.30 billion.
Key Drivers of the Decline
Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, confirmed the figures, attributing the trend to international payment obligations.
“The primary reason for the decline is the settlement of import liabilities,” Khan explained. However, he noted that the situation was bolstered by a steady flow of inward remittances. “The pressure on reserves was somewhat mitigated by strong remittance inflows; otherwise, the figures could have dropped even further.”
Despite the dip, Khan maintained that the current levels remain “satisfactory.”
Comparative Data and Net Reserves
The decline has been gradual over the past two weeks. On March 16, gross reserves were recorded at $34.22 billion, with the BPM6 figure at $29.52 billion.
While the central bank does not publicly disclose its internal “Net International Reserve” (NIR) or spendable reserve figures on a daily basis, sources indicate that the NIR currently hovers around $26 billion.
Economic Outlook: Is Bangladesh Still in the Safe Zone?
Experts and central bank officials use import cover as the primary benchmark for economic stability.
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Current Capacity: With an average monthly import cost of $5.5 billion, the current reserves are sufficient to cover approximately five months of import expenses.
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International Standard: Global financial norms dictate that a country should maintain at least three months of import cover.
Given that Bangladesh currently holds nearly double the minimum requirement, the country remains in a relatively comfortable position despite the global economic volatility.
“Foreign exchange reserves are a vital indicator of a nation’s economic health, and maintaining this buffer is a priority for the central bank,” the report concluded.
