Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have been reported at two different figures today, Thursday, July 24, 2025, reflecting the ongoing adaptation to international reporting standards. While the gross foreign exchange reserves currently stand at $30 billion, the figure calculated according to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) methodology, known as the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6), shows a lower amount of $24.99 billion. This information was released in a press statement by the Bangladesh Bank.
The discrepancy arises because the IMF’s BPM6 methodology provides a more precise picture of a country’s readily available foreign exchange assets by excluding certain components that are included in the traditional “gross” calculation. These typically include funds that are not immediately accessible, such as central bank investments, loans to domestic banks in foreign currency, and other less liquid assets.
The adoption of the BPM6 standard is part of Bangladesh’s commitment to increased transparency and alignment with international best practices in financial reporting, a condition often associated with loan programs from multilateral institutions like the IMF. While the higher gross figure might be used for general public announcements, the BPM6 figure is considered more accurate for assessing a country’s external vulnerability and its capacity to meet short-term foreign currency obligations.
The Bangladesh Bank has been publishing both figures to ensure clarity and adherence to international reporting norms. This move is aimed at enhancing investor confidence and providing a more realistic assessment of the country’s foreign exchange position.
