Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have resumed an upward trend, supported largely by a strong increase in remittance inflows from citizens working abroad.
According to the latest figures released by Bangladesh Bank, the country’s gross foreign exchange reserves have risen to US$36,469.94 million, equivalent to approximately US$36.47 billion. Reserves calculated under the International Monetary Fund’s Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6) methodology stood at US$31,651.97 million, or around US$31.65 billion.
The latest position was disclosed in data published by the central bank on 2 August. Mohammad Ibrahim Munsi, joint director of the Foreign Exchange Reserve and Treasury Management Department of Bangladesh Bank, confirmed the latest reserve figures.
The improvement comes as remittance inflows have maintained strong momentum. During July, the first month of the 2026–27 financial year, Bangladesh received US$2.859 billion in remittances, compared with US$2.478 billion during the same month a year earlier. This represents an increase of roughly 15.4 per cent year on year.
The rise in remittances is providing some relief to the country’s foreign exchange market and helping strengthen the availability of foreign currency. A robust flow of expatriate earnings at the beginning of the new financial year is also expected to support liquidity conditions, although the longer-term impact will depend on the balance between foreign currency inflows and outflows.
The latest data also indicate that Bangladeshi expatriates sent substantial amounts of money during the final two days of July, 30 and 31 July. However, the published figures reportedly referred to US$152 billion being remitted over those two days, a figure that is clearly inconsistent with the total monthly remittance of US$2.859 billion. The amount is therefore likely to contain an error in either the figure or the currency unit and should be verified with the relevant source before being treated as accurate.
The difference between gross reserves and BPM6 reserves reflects the methodologies used to calculate the two figures. Gross reserves provide a broader measure of the foreign currency holdings maintained by the central bank, while the BPM6-based measure follows internationally recognised statistical standards and focuses on reserve assets that meet specific criteria. As a result, the two figures can differ at the same point in time without indicating a contradiction in the underlying data.
Foreign exchange reserves remain a crucial indicator of Bangladesh’s external economic strength. They help the country meet import payments, service external obligations and maintain confidence in its ability to manage international transactions. A healthy reserve position can also provide a buffer against external shocks, including sudden increases in import costs or volatility in global financial markets.
Remittances are particularly significant because they bring foreign currency directly into the economy and can ease pressure on the balance of payments. The latest increase suggests that formal remittance channels continue to play a major role in supporting foreign exchange availability.
Still, the sustainability of reserve growth will depend on several factors. Remittance earnings are only one component of the country’s external sector. Export receipts, import payments, external debt servicing, foreign investment and other international financial flows will also influence the reserve position in the months ahead.
The strong start to the 2026–27 financial year is therefore a positive development for Bangladesh’s external accounts. Whether the reserve position can maintain its upward trajectory, however, will depend on how long the recent remittance growth continues and whether foreign currency expenditure pressures remain manageable.
