Staff Reporter :
A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to arrive in Dhaka today (Saturday) to evaluate the progress made on various conditions tied to the disbursement of the fourth and fifth installments of the $4.7 billion loan agreement.
This assessment is part of the broader Extended Credit Facility (ECF), Extended Fund Facility (EFF), and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) program approved for Bangladesh in January 2023.
The financial package was designed to support Bangladesh’s economic stability, fiscal reforms, and climate resilience initiatives.
As part of their visit, the IMF delegation is scheduled to meet Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed on Sunday morning for an initial round of discussions.
According to officials from the Finance Division under the Ministry of Finance, the team will be engaged in continuous deliberations with various government agencies over a two-week period, commencing on April 6.
During this visit, IMF representatives will hold discussions with key government institutions, including the Finance Division, the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Power Division, the Power Development Board, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), and the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.
These meetings will focus on Bangladesh’s progress in meeting policy commitments related to fiscal consolidation, revenue mobilization, energy sector reforms, and monetary policy adjustments-key conditions set by the IMF for the phased disbursement of the loan tranches.
On April 17, before concluding their assessment mission, the delegation will hold another meeting with Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed to review key findings and discuss the next steps.
The visit will culminate with a press briefing, where the IMF team is expected to share insights into Bangladesh’s economic trajectory and its adherence to the agreed-upon financial and policy reforms.
This loan is part of Bangladesh’s ongoing engagements with the IMF, which has previously provided financial support to the country at critical junctures.
Bangladesh’s first IMF loan dates back to 1974, and in recent years, the organization has played a crucial role in helping the country navigate global economic challenges, including balance of payment pressures, foreign exchange volatility, and inflationary concerns.
The current $4.7 billion agreement is aimed at strengthening macroeconomic stability while promoting structural reforms essential for sustainable growth.
