Remittances hit $2.69b in Sept, 5th-highest monthly inflow

Bangladesh received US$2.69 billion in remittances in Se
ptember, the fifth-highest monthly inflow on record, signalling a rebound in foreign-currency earnings.

The rise in remittance earnings offers a much-needed respite for the economy, which has been grappling with multiple macroeconomic challenges amid a persistent foreign-exchange (forex) shortage, officials and analysts said.

According to Bangladesh Bank (BB), the country's central bank, Bangladeshi expatriates sent $2.69 billion in the just-concluded month, up over 11.7 per cent year-on-year from $2.40 billion in September 2024. Compared with $2.42 billion in August 2025, the September inflow was $264 million higher.

A BB official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the central bank had taken proactive measures to boost foreign-currency inflows, including stabilising the forex market through regulatory interventions under the free-floating exchange regime.

"These steps encourage remitters to send more money home," the official said.

He added that without the BB's purchase of US dollars from the market, the local currency could appreciate against the dollar, potentially discouraging remittances. "That's why intervention is important. We do it to bolster forex reserves and ensure market stability."

The official noted that achieving monthly remittances above $2.50 billion is a positive sign for the economy, emphasising the need to maintain momentum in the coming months as imports are likely to rise with the easing of overall economic activity.

Bangladesh Bank's forex intervention strategy is not only stabilising the market but also allowing commercial banks to buy more US dollars using liquidity generated from selling their sourced foreign currencies to the central bank.

Since July 13, the regulator has purchased $1.877 billion under the prevailing free-float exchange arrangement and injected around Tk 228 million into banks, helping improve liquidity amid a low-investment environment.

With the rise in remittances, the country's gross forex reserves increased to $31.43 billion under BB calculations and $26.55 billion under IMF BPM6 standards by the end of September 2025, up from $31.16 billion and $26.17 billion, respectively, in August.

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