Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed -File Photo

DHAKA, Sept 23, 2025 (BSS) – Describing the remittances as one of the strong lifelines for Bangladesh, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed today said that Bangladesh Bank (BB) is on right track to keep the exchange rate stable even as demand for the US dollar has temporarily eased.

"If demand for the dollar goes down, the price should also fall. But if we let the exchange rate slide without restraint, it will send a bad signal to those who send remittances . . . we have to keep their interests in mind," he said.

The adviser made the remarks while speaking to reporters after meetings of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase (ACCGP) and the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs (ACCEA).

 In his speech, the adviser defended Bangladesh Bank's recent move to mop up nearly US$2 billion from the market.

He, however, stressed the importance of maintaining sufficient reserves for emergencies.

"Our reserve position is not yet self-sufficient. Suppose there is a crop failure, we would need to import immediately. What would we do then if we don't have the cushion? Foreign exchange is not only for imports; it also provides a safeguard against unforeseen shocks," he noted.

Bangladesh Bank has recently stepped up efforts to stabilise the forex market, purchasing nearly $2 billion from commercial banks.

According to BB data, total dollar purchases through auctions have already reached $1.74 billion in the current fiscal year.

Stronger remittances and exports, along with the central bank's buying spree, have lifted reserves to around $31 billion as on September 17.

But, as per the International Monetary Fund (IMF) methodology under the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6), Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves stood at $26.09 billion.