Bangladesh's foreign-exchange reserves have remained comfortably above the $31-billion mark, even after the country settled $1.60 billion in import-payment obligations to Asian Clearing Union (ACU) member-countries on Sunday.
Following the payment for the September-October 2025 period, the gross forex reserves stood at $31.14 billion, down from $32.71 billion on the previous working day, according to the Bangladesh Bank (BB).
Central bank officials described the current level as satisfactory, citing stronger remittance inflows and steady export growth as key factors supporting reserve stability.
"We've been working to build up our foreign exchange reserves since August 2024. Our reserves now stand at a satisfactory level, even after making the routine payment to the ACU," a senior BB official told the Financial Express.
He added that a higher inflow of remittances and steady growth in export earnings had helped strengthen the country's reserves.
The central bank's purchase of US dollars from commercial banks had also contributed to the recent build-up, he noted.
Since July 13 last year, the central bank has bought $2.16 billion directly from banks through auctions under the current free-floating exchange rate arrangement.
BB officials confirmed that the ACU payment had already been remitted to the union's headquarters in Tehran, in accordance with existing provisions.
Under ACU rules, outstanding import bills and related interest are settled by member countries every two months.
The ACU payment for the latest period rose to $1.60 billion, up from $1.50 billion previously, largely due to higher imports from member countries.
Bangladesh currently imports consumer goods, cotton, raw materials, and capital machinery, mainly from neighbouring India, according to central bank officials.
siddique.islam@gmail.com
