News Flash
SANGSAD BHABAN, April 21, 2026 (BSS) - Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury informed Parliament that the government has a specific, comprehensive and coordinated plan to restore stability, rebuild confidence, and gradually strengthen the country’s fragile financial sector.
Responding to a starred question from BNP lawmaker Mohammed Fakrul Islam (Noakhali-5) in the House today, the minister said a set of integrated strategies—covering monetary policy, fiscal policy, exchange rate management, and a medium-term macroeconomic framework—has already been approved at a Coordination Council meeting held on April 10, 2026.
The framework outlines policy directions for the fiscal years 2026-27 to 2028-29, he added.
Khosru said the government is prioritizing macroeconomic stability to reduce vulnerabilities in the financial sector. “As part of this effort, the policy interest rate has been maintained at 10 percent to contain inflation. Food inflation, which stood at 14.10 percent in July 2024, has significantly declined to 8.24 percent in March 2026,” he added.
The minister further noted that a market-based exchange rate system is currently in operation. He said foreign exchange reserves have increased to US$34.87 billion as of April 15, 2026, while reserves calculated under the IMF’s BPM-6 methodology stand at US$30.20 billion.
To support distressed productive and financial activities, he said Bangladesh Bank has introduced special support measures. “The central bank has also taken initiatives to ease the pressure on businesses caused by currency depreciation,” he said.
Highlighting reforms in the capital market, the minister said restoring transparency and investors’ confidence remains a top priority.
In this regard, he said the government plans to establish a Capital Market Reform Commission, strengthen the bond and equity markets, introduce blockchain technology, launch an investment gateway for expatriates, and enhance legal and administrative protections for investors.
Khosru added that to ensure sustainable recovery, the government has set medium-term targets for key macroeconomic indicators, including inflation, broad money supply (M2), and private sector credit growth, in line with projected economic growth.
“The government believes that such a coordinated policy framework will help restore discipline, confidence, and effective financing mechanisms in the financial sector.” the minister told the House.
