Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have surged past the $35 billion mark, bolstered by a historic spike in remittance inflows and strategic dollar purchases by the central bank.
According to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank, the country’s gross foreign exchange reserves stood at $35.04 billion as of April 16. This represents a significant recovery from the previous month, when reserves were recorded at $34.22 billion on March 16. Under the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) BPM-6 manual—the international standard for calculating reserves—the figure reached $30.36 billion, up from $29.52 billion just a month ago.
Key Drivers: Record Remittances and Market Stability
The primary catalyst for this financial rebound has been the extraordinary surge in expatriate earnings. In March 2026, Bangladesh recorded its highest-ever single-month remittance inflow of $3.75 billion. This positive momentum has continued into April, with $1.79 billion arriving in the first 15 days alone—a 21.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
Central bank officials noted that the increased supply of dollars has allowed them to resume buying foreign currency from commercial banks to maintain market equilibrium.
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Total Dollars Purchased: Bangladesh Bank has acquired approximately $5.61 billion from the market during the current 2025-26 fiscal year.
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Exchange Rate Management: Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan stated that the bank is intervening to prevent the Taka from appreciating too rapidly, which could negatively impact exporters and the remittance flow.
Import Cover and Economic Resilience
While gross figures are encouraging, the central bank focuses on “usable reserves” to assess economic health. After accounting for short-term liabilities and other obligations, Bangladesh’s usable reserves currently stand at approximately $27 billion.
“With average monthly import costs at $5 billion, the current usable reserves are sufficient to cover over five months of imports,” a central bank source confirmed.
Economists generally consider a three-month import cover as the minimum safety threshold for a stable economy.
Comparison of Reserve Metrics (As of April 16, 2026)
A Dramatic Turnaround
The current stability marks a sharp contrast to the economic volatility seen in mid-2024. Following the political transition in August 2024, the interim government and Governor Ahsan H. Mansur implemented rigorous reforms to curb money laundering, restrict hundi (informal channels), and transition toward a market-based exchange rate.
At the time of the government change in August 2024, reserves had dwindled to $25.92 billion ($20.48 billion per BPM-6), and the dollar rate had spiked above 120 BDT. The successful recovery to $35 billion is seen as a vital cushion for the country, especially as global energy prices remain volatile due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
