Staff Reporter :
Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed announced yesterday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will release the fourth tranche of its $4.7 billion loan package, amounting to $1.1 billion, by March in the current fiscal year of 2024-25.
He shared the update with reporters following a meeting with a visiting IMF delegation at his office in Dhaka.
According to Ahmed, the IMF sought details on Bangladesh’s current and future strategies regarding revenue ollection, fiscal deficits, and stressed assets in the banking sector, among other concerns.
In response, Salehuddin assured the IMF team that the interim government’s measures are designed to benefit the country’s future.
Earlier in January 2023, the IMF approved a $4.7 billion loan for Bangladesh, which was to be disbursed in seven installments, contingent on meeting certain conditions. The IMF delegation is reviewing each installment before its release.
Additionally, the IMF has advised Bangladesh to maintain a rising policy interest rate until inflation decreases. Bangladesh Bank Spokesperson and Executive Director Huseara Shikha indicated this during a press briefing on Tuesday.
The IMF noted that inflation in Bangladesh is currently above 11 percent and is expected to remain around 10 percent throughout 2025. However, it may decrease to 6-7 percent after that.
