Bangladesh’s economic landscape has witnessed a remarkable transformation this December, as expatriate earnings surged beyond the $3 billion mark in less than a month. This substantial inflow of foreign currency has played a pivotal role in stabilising the local economy and mitigating the persistent dollar shortage that had previously plagued the financial sector. Consequently, the national gross foreign exchange reserves have climbed to over $33 billion, a level not seen in the past three years. This recovery represents a significant turnaround from the turbulent period in August 2024, when reserves had dipped to approximately $26 billion following a period of intense political transition.
The surge in remittance reflects a growing trend of confidence among the Bangladeshi diaspora, with $3.04 billion arriving via official channels within the first twenty-nine days of December. This continues a pattern of high-performance months; notably, March 2024 set an all-time record with $3.29 billion in a single month. On a broader scale, the current 2024–25 fiscal year has already accumulated over $30.33 billion in remittance, far outstripping the $23.91 billion recorded during the entirety of the previous financial year. The central bank’s decision to maintain competitive exchange rates has successfully incentivised workers to move away from informal transfer methods.
Key Economic Performance Indicators
| Metric | Period / Basis | Figure |
| December Remittance | 1st to 29th December | $3.04 Billion |
| Gross Foreign Reserves | Total Assets | $33.18 Billion |
| Net Reserves (BPM6) | IMF Methodology | $28.51 Billion |
| Market Purchase Rate | Per US Dollar | 122.30 BDT |
| FY 24–25 Total Inflow | Year-to-Date | $30.33 Billion |
In tandem with these inflows, Bangladesh Bank has been proactive in the domestic market, purchasing dollars from commercial banks to further bolster the national exchequer. In a single session last Tuesday, the central bank acquired $89 million from seven different banks at a rate of 122.30 BDT per dollar. Over the first six months of this fiscal year, the authorities have purchased a staggering $3.13 billion from the local market. Governor Ahsan H. Mansur has underscored that the strategy is to reach a reserve target of $34 to $35 billion by year-end, relying on domestic market strength and organic growth rather than solely depending on international loans. This shift towards a self-reliant monetary policy is intended to provide long-term stability and shield the nation from global volatility.