DHAKA — Expatriate Bangladeshis sent home $2.6 billion in a single month — the second-highest in history — as the taka stabilised and confidence returned to formal banking channels, Bangladesh Bank data shows.
Reserves climbed back above $22 billion, covering 4.5 months of imports. Central bank officials credit the 2.5% cash incentive, a unified exchange rate that killed the kerb-market premium, and a quiet but ruthless crackdown on hundi operators in Dhaka, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur.
'Earlier my brother sent money through a broker because banks gave Tk 4 less per dollar. Now the bank gives more — why would anyone risk hundi?' said Rahima Begum of Cumilla, whose two sons work in Saudi Arabia.
Economists urged the government to lock in the gains: 'Remittance is trust made visible. Keep the rate honest, keep the airport humane for our workers, and the dollars will keep coming,' said Dr. Zahid Hossain. The government is now considering a 'Pravasi Bond' offering 8% returns to channel diaspora savings into infrastructure.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Economic Reporter • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
