Bangladesh’s trade deficit shrinks to $18.22b in first 10 months of FY25

Bangladesh has posted a lower trade deficit of $18.22 billion for the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, improving slightly on last year’s figures.

The gap stood at $18.70 billion during the same period of FY2023–24.

As per the updated figures released by Bangladesh Bank on Tuesday, the country exported goods and services worth $36.57 billion in the July–April window, marking an 8.60 per cent rise from $33.67 billion during the same stretch last year.

Imports rose to $54.79 billion over the 10-month period, up by 4.60 per cent from $52.37 billion a year earlier.

CURRENT ACCOUNT

The current account deficit, which captures a country’s routine external transactions, has narrowed sharply, reaching $1.39 billion by the end of April, down from $6.02 billion year-on-year.

A surplus helps reduce dependence on foreign loans, while a deficit signals external financing pressure.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNT

Despite the fall in foreign investment, the financial account recorded a $1.96 billion surplus from July–April, compared with $2.25 billion in the same period last year.

The account tracks flows from remittances, foreign loans and grants, direct investments, and portfolio investments.

FOREIGN INVESTMENT

Foreign direct investment (FDI) dropped by 28.79 per cent year-on-year.

The country received $910 million in the first 10 months of FY25, down from $1.27 billion in the same period last year.

BANKERS, ECONOMISTS WEIGH IN

Mutual Trust Bank Managing Director Syed Mahbubur Rahman told bdnews24.com, “Export and remittance flows are picking up positively. That’s helping to improve the overall balance of payments.

“Much of the remittance boost came around the two Eid festivals,” he added. “What matters now is whether the flow holds steady through June.”

In a press conference held in May, Bangladesh Bank chief Ahsan H Mansur also pointed to rising export earnings and remittances as key drivers behind the improving balance of payments.

He noted that the exchange rate has remained stable in recent weeks, supporting a stronger remittance inflow.

If the trend continues, Mansur said, the remaining gap in the balance of payments is likely to shrink over time.