The Bangladesh Bank has reported a substantial increase in inward remittances, with expatriate earnings surpassing $2.71 billion (approximately 331.59 billion BDT) within the first 26 days of April 2026. This data, officially released on Monday, 27 April 2026, underscores a positive growth trajectory for the nation’s secondary income, offering essential support to the national foreign exchange reserves.
According to Arif Hossain Khan, the spokesperson for the central bank, the total volume of remittance recorded between 1 April and 26 April reached $2,718.0 million. Based on the current exchange rate of 122 BDT per US Dollar, this influx represents a significant injection of capital into the domestic financial system.
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Year-on-Year Growth and Monthly Performance
A technical review of banking sector data highlights a notable rise in contributions compared to the previous calendar year. In the corresponding 26-day period of April 2025, total remittances amounted to $2.27 billion.
The 2026 figures represent a year-on-year growth rate of 19.60%. This increase is largely attributed to a growing reliance on formal banking channels and the continued modernisation of digital transfer infrastructures. On Sunday, 26 April alone, the nation recorded an inflow of 16.95 billion BDT, sustaining the robust daily averages seen throughout the month.
Cumulative Fiscal Year Gains
The broader performance of the 2025–26 fiscal year, which began on 1 July 2025, reveals even stronger growth metrics. Cumulative remittance inflows from 1 July 2025 to 26 April 2026 have reached $28.92 billion.
During the same period in the preceding fiscal year, the total stood at $24.05 billion, marking an overall fiscal year increase of 20.20%. This sustained upward trend is considered a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s macroeconomic resilience, vital for balancing the payments account and bolstering the financial stability of households across the country.
Policy Framework and Banking Incentives
The Bangladesh Bank has maintained several strategic initiatives designed to encourage the use of official financial conduits over informal systems:
Digital Infrastructure: Enhancements to the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and mobile financial services have enabled faster, more secure transfers.
Exchange Rate Realignment: The transition toward a market-linked exchange rate, currently at 122 BDT per Dollar, has significantly narrowed the gap between formal and kerb market rates.
Cash Incentives: The government continues to provide financial incentives for funds sent via authorised dealers, discouraging the use of unregulated ‘hundi’ networks.
Projections for the Final Quarter
As the fiscal year enters its final quarter, the central bank anticipates that total volumes may reach historic peaks. Seasonal spikes, often associated with major religious and social observations, are expected to further drive figures upward.
While the influx of over 331 billion BDT in 26 days is a significant milestone, central bank officials remain committed to ensuring these funds are utilised for long-term economic development. The spokesperson reiterated that maintaining the transparency and security of these international transfers is essential to retaining the trust of the millions of Bangladeshis working in the Middle East, Europe, and South East Asia.