BB buys $30m to bolster reserves ahead of ACU payment

The Bangladesh Bank purchased $30 million from commercial banks through an auction yesterday, aiming to strengthen foreign exchange reserves ahead of upcoming payments to the Asian Clearing Union (ACU).

A senior central bank official told The Business Standard that the dollars were bought at a rate of Tk122.75, adding that it was part of the central bank’s regular practice ahead of settling ACU liabilities.

Bangladesh is set to make an ACU payment of around $1.5 billion this month, covering import bills accumulated over the past two months.

Another senior official said the latest purchase was aimed at boosting the country’s foreign exchange reserves, which currently stand at $30.60 billion under the BPM6 method.

Officials also indicated that the central bank remains concerned about persistently high inflation and is seeking to ease pressure by strengthening the local currency. A stronger taka can help reduce import costs, they added.

A senior banker noted that improved remittance inflows have increased dollar liquidity in the banking system. 

Bangladesh received more than $3 billion in remittances in April and has maintained similar inflows since December 2025, contributing to a relatively comfortable supply of foreign currency. As a result, banks now have an adequate supply of dollars. 

The central bank has been purchasing dollars from commercial banks since July of FY26.