Finance Ministry cautiously reviews IMF loan, both sides agree on reforms

The Finance Ministry has successfully concluded the fourth review of the IMF loan programme, agreeing on key reforms in revenue management and exchange rate policies. 

Following the third review, it was decided to combine the disbursements for both reviews, said a press release of the ministry. 

Discussions during the fourth review in Dhaka in April 2025, and subsequent talks at the Bank-Fund meeting in Washington, DC, focused on these reforms to ensure Bangladesh’s macroeconomic stability, it added.

A staff-level agreement for the fourth review paves the way for the IMF to release $1.3 billion for the fourth and fifth installments by June 2025. 

Additionally, Bangladesh hopes $2 billion in budget support by June from development partners, including the World Bank, ADB, AIIB, Japan, and the OPEC Fund. 

These funds will strengthen foreign exchange reserves, supporting currency stability.

The Finance Ministry emphasised that reform programmes are independently designed by the Bangladesh government in the national interest, with development partners providing only technical assistance.