Bangladesh’s reserves still remain above $31 billion after ACU payment
Headline:
SUST students protest ‘inappropriate proposal’ to female peer
‘Depositors are true owners of Islami Bank’
JCD demands trial of those responsible for July killings
South Korean Ambassador visits electronics factory in Narsingdi, vows to boost industrial partnership

Bangladesh’s reserves still remain above $31 billion after ACU payment

Bangladesh’s reserves still remain above $31 billion after ACU payment
Representational image


The Bangladesh Bank has settled US$1.61 billion in import payments to the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) for September and October 2025, keeping the country's foreign exchange reserves above the $31-billion mark.

Following Sunday’s (9th November 2025) payment, the gross foreign exchange reserves now stand at $31.14 billion, higher than September’s $30.31 billion recorded after a similar $1.5 billion ACU payment.

Based on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6) methodology, the reserve currently amounts to $26.44 billion, up from $25.40 billion in September.

RCBC requested to forfeit $81m over Bangladesh Bank reserve heist

Before the latest ACU settlement, the gross reserve was $32.71 billion, while the BPM6 figure stood at $28 billion. The central bank has been publishing reserve figures under the IMF’s BPM6 system since June 2023, in line with the IMF loan conditions. At that time, the reserve was $24.75 billion.

Last week’s reserve figure of $32.71 billion was reportedly the highest in the past 32 months.

The ACU (Asian Clearing Union) is a regional payment mechanism that facilitates trade settlements among member countries every two months. Its current members are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Sri Lanka, a former member, withdrew amid its economic crisis and has yet to rejoin despite signs of recovery.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves had peaked at $48 billion in August 2021 but later declined steadily, dropping to around $16 billion during the final days of the previous Awami League government.

BB reserve heist review committee’s tenure extended for 3rd time

Since the government transition, tighter measures against money laundering have reduced hundi (illegal money transfer) operations, contributing to higher formal remittance inflows.

Remittances reached $10.90 billion from the start of the current fiscal year to November 8, representing a 14 percent rise compared to the same period a year earlier.

Subscribe UNB YouTube Channel
Bangladesh IMF bangladesh bank foreign exchange Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves Asian Clearing Union ACU payment IMF’s BPM6 system BPM6 Bangladesh's gross foreign exchange reserves in November 2025