Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Nov 3, 2025 (BSS) – Bangladesh Bank (BB) has introduced a new financial arrangement allowing Authorized Dealers (ADs) to enter into foreign currency-Taka swap arrangements with exporters against balances held in their respective 30-day pools and Exporters' Retention Quota (ERQ) accounts. 

This decision aims to facilitate exporters' short-term liquidity requirement in Taka while simultaneously permitting them to maintain their foreign currency holdings, said a BB circular issued today.

For the purpose of this circular, such a swap is defined as a spot purchase of foreign currency against Taka with a simultaneous forward sale at an agreed rate and maturity, using underlying foreign currency sources owned by exporters.

The tenor of a swap must not exceed the expected utilization period for ERQ balances, and is limited to a maximum of 30 days for 30-day pools. The facility against such swap is to be settled on maturity.

The applicable swap points will be based on market-reflective and/or cost-reflective interest rate/profit differential between two currencies.

Swaps shall be executed only against available and unencumbered balances held in foreign currency owned by exporters. ADs shall maintain adequate risk management, credit, and liquidity control systems, along with internal approval and audit mechanisms. 

Exporters shall provide written declarations confirming their understanding of the contractual nature of the swap and associated rate implications. This swap transaction shall not be treated as loan/financing facility extended to customers by ADs.
Taka funds obtained by exporters under the swap arrangement shall be used solely for bonafide working capital purposes related to export operations; no speculative positions shall be undertaken under this arrangement.

All transactions need to be properly documented, recorded in terms with international best practices, and reported to Bangladesh Bank as per routine procedures.