Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain. File photo.

DHAKA, May 31, 2025 (BSS) - Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said repayment of the country's foreign debt has seen a significant increase in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year.

In a statement shared via his verified Facebook account, Asif Mahmud, also the adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, disclosed that Bangladesh has repaid USD 350 crore in foreign debt from July to April of the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25. 

This figure already surpasses the total repayment made in the entire previous fiscal year, he added.

"The repayment amount in the first 10 months has risen by 24.73 percent compared to the same period last year," the adviser continued.

He further elaborated that during this period, principal repayments amounted to approximately USD 2.02 billion, a sharp 32.86 percent increase from the USD 1.66 billion repaid during the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

In a separate post, Asif Mahmud addressed urban water-logging issues following recent heavy rainfall. 

This season, water-logging has been "less severe than ever before" due to proactive drainage management, he stated.

"Drainage systems were prepared in advance to ensure proper water flow," he said, adding that the city corporation workers remained active through the night during the rainfall, which significantly minimized water stagnation.

He urged residents to contact the control room if they experience water-logging in their areas, emphasizing the government's commitment to swift response in any hassle.