IMF expresses approval of Bangladesh’s economic reforms: Dr. Salehuddin
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed overall satisfaction with Bangladesh's economic reform measures. "The IMF said the situation is overall good, but they are looking at the challenges. We are moving under a plan, but they think if some steps can be taken a little faster, it would yield better results," he said. The finance adviser was briefing reporters after chairing two separate meetings on the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs and the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat here today.
Dr Salehuddin said the IMF considers Bangladesh's progress "generally positive", but has highlighted the need for faster implementation in some areas. He noted that the IMF is particularly concerned about the speed of policy implementation, especially surrounding interest rate adjustments. "Increasing the policy rate can't be done suddenly. Everyone knows that. We have to ensure supply-side improvements at the same time," the adviser said. Dr Salehuddin also mentioned that the IMF has raised issues related to the banking sector. "They have taken five banks under observation, which they consider a major challenge," he said, adding that the government needs to undertake tough reforms to strengthen financial governance.
On revenue administration, the adviser said the IMF is satisfied with the current progress of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), but expects reforms to continue steadily. "The process has become principled, but manpower restructuring and capacity enhancement will take time," he said. Dr Salehuddin added that while it may not be possible to achieve a complete turnaround within the current government's tenure, substantial groundwork and structural preparations would be completed. "We may not reach the final conclusion, but the logical framework and preparatory work will be done," he assured.
Responding to a question on whether the IMF had set any new conditions, Dr Salehuddin stated that no fresh conditions were imposed. "This was more like a consultation. They expressed satisfaction with the measures we have taken so far. The financial situation is largely under control, and the remaining time will be used for consolidation," he said. The $4.7 billion IMF loan programme, approved in January 2023, aims to support Bangladesh's economic stability, strengthen fiscal reforms, and enhance resilience amid global economic pressures. Several tranches have already been disbursed, while further installment remains tied to policy performance benchmarks and structural reforms.
On June 23, the IMF approved the release of the fourth and fifth tranches amounting to $1.3 billion, taking the overall amount of disbursement to $3.6 billion. In June 2025, the IMF also increased the overall loan amount to $5.5 billion from $4.7 billion under the loan programme that began in 2023 under the AL regime in 2023 to meet the balance of payment shortage.
