Remittances Hit $1.12bn in First 10 Days of January

Remittance inflows to Bangladesh maintained strong momentum in January, with expatriates sending more than $1.12 billion in the first 10 days of the month.

In the ongoing fiscal year 2025–26, Bangladesh received $17.39 billion in inward remittances from July to January 10. This marks a sharp rise from $14.49 billion recorded during the same period of the previous fiscal year, reflecting a growth of nearly 20 percent.

The steady inflow of remittances has helped strengthen the country’s foreign exchange position. Bangladesh’s gross foreign exchange reserves have crossed $33 billion, while reserves measured under the IMF’s BPM6 methodology stand at over $29 billion.

Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said expatriates sent $1.12 billion in the first 10 days of January 2026, compared to a much lower amount during the same period last year, representing a growth of 57.2 percent.

Officials attributed the surge to several factors, including government incentives for remittances sent through formal banking channels, stronger monitoring to discourage informal transfers, and the proactive role of exchange houses abroad.

Monthly data show that remittance inflows remained consistently high throughout the fiscal year, with $2.47 billion received in July, $2.42 billion in August, $2.68 billion in September, $2.56 billion in October, $2.88 billion in November, and a record $3.22 billion in December.

With average monthly remittances exceeding $2.42 billion over the past six months, policymakers are increasingly prioritising remittance inflows as a key source of foreign exchange, reducing reliance on external borrowing tied to stringent conditions.