Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur . File photo

DHAKA, Nov 29, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur 
today said that Bangladesh's financial sector is making tangible progress in 
macroeconomic stability, external sector management and governance reforms 
despite deep-rooted structural challenges.

Dr Mansur made the remarks while addressing the "Fourth Bangladesh Economic 
Conference: Future Roadmap of Economy and Political Pledge" held at a hotel 
in the capital today. 

Daily Bonik Barta organised this conference.

The BB Governor said that the exchange rate has been successfully stabilized-
a prerequisite for bringing down inflation. 

Since he assumed office, Dr Mansur said the exchange rate has remained 
broadly stable, moving from Taka 120 to Taka 122.50 per US dollar, while 
major regional currencies have seen larger depreciations. 

No intervention is currently required in the foreign exchange market, as 
supply and demand are determining the rate, he noted.

Dr Mansur said foreign banks that previously reduced exposure to Bangladesh 
have restored normal operations, while the earlier backlog in external 
payment arrears has been fully cleared. 

The current account deficit has narrowed significantly and the financial 
account has turned slightly positive. "Our external sector is stable and not 
vulnerable," he said, adding that banks now face no dollar shortage and all 
margin requirements for imports have been withdrawn.

Import of LCs for essential Ramadan commodities have already been opened, in 
some cases 20 percent higher than the previous year side by side import 
volumes through Chattogram Port were at record levels in the last fiscal year 
and have continued to grow in double digits this year, he informed.

Despite these improvements, the Central Bank Governor stressed that high non-
performing loans remain a major obstacle. "With new classification rules and 
updated data, the NPL ratio may stand around 35 percent. This is a major 
challenge and will take five to 10 years to resolve," he noted.

He said interest rates remain high because inflation has yet to fall to the 
desired level. 

Dr Mansur said deposit rates have already increased to around 10 percent and 
may rise further to ensure positive real returns. He also highlighted the 
pressure created by high government borrowings from the banking system.