Bangladesh Foreign Exchange Reserves Rise To $34.82 Billion

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have increased further, with the country’s gross reserves reaching US$34.82 billion, according to the latest data released by Bangladesh Bank.

The central bank confirmed that the nation’s gross foreign exchange reserves stood at US$34.82183 billion as of 3 June. The information was disclosed on Wednesday by Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan.

The latest figures indicate a gradual increase in reserve holdings over the past few days. According to Bangladesh Bank data, gross reserves rose from US$34.76699 billion on 1 June to US$34.82183 billion on 3 June. This represents an increase of approximately US$54.84 million during the period.

In addition to the gross reserve figure, the central bank also released reserve data calculated under the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6), which serves as the internationally recognised standard for measuring reserve assets.

Under the BPM6 methodology, Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves stood at US$30.16060 billion as of 3 June. On 1 June, the corresponding figure was US$30.10761 billion. As a result, BPM6 reserves increased by approximately US$52.99 million over the two-day period.

The latest reserve position is shown below:

Gross reserves represent the total foreign currency assets held by the central bank and are widely used as the headline indicator of a country’s external financial strength. These reserves typically include foreign currencies, gold holdings, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and reserve positions maintained with the IMF.

However, policymakers and international financial institutions often place greater emphasis on reserves measured under the BPM6 framework. This methodology follows IMF guidelines and provides a more standardised assessment of reserve adequacy and international liquidity.

Under the BPM6 calculation, certain assets that are not readily available for balance-of-payments support are excluded. Consequently, the BPM6 figure is generally lower than the gross reserve figure. The methodology enables more accurate comparisons of reserve positions across countries and is widely used in IMF programme monitoring and external sector assessments.

Bangladesh Bank also noted that net reserves are calculated in accordance with the IMF’s BPM6 framework. Net reserves, sometimes referred to as usable reserves, are determined after deducting short-term liabilities and other external obligations from the total reserve stock. This measure provides a clearer indication of the foreign currency resources immediately available to meet external financing needs.

Foreign exchange reserves remain one of the most important indicators of a country’s economic stability. Adequate reserve holdings help finance import payments, meet foreign debt obligations, support exchange-rate management and strengthen confidence among investors, lenders and international development partners.

The latest increase, although modest, reflects continued growth in Bangladesh’s reserve position. Both gross reserves and BPM6 reserves recorded gains between 1 June and 3 June, indicating a positive movement in the country’s foreign currency holdings.

According to the latest Bangladesh Bank figures, gross foreign exchange reserves now stand at US$34.82 billion, while reserves calculated under the IMF’s BPM6 methodology have reached US$30.16 billion as of 3 June.