Bangladesh is seeing a strong surge in remittance inflows, receiving US$1.52 billion in the first 15 days of November, according to updated figures released on Sunday by Bangladesh Bank.
The mid-month tally marks a 23% rise from the same period a year earlier, signalling sustained momentum in expatriate income and offering relief to the country’s strained foreign exchange reserves.
Central bank officials credit the continued uptick to a combination of government measures: tighter enforcement against hundi networks, incentive schemes for formal transfers, and improvements in banking channels that have made remitting money easier and faster.
If the current pace holds, officials project that November remittances could exceed $3 billion, reinforcing a steady rebound after months of currency pressure.
The central bank’s data shows the trend has been building for several months. In October, expatriates sent $256.34 billion—up $16.84 million from the $239.50 million recorded a year earlier.
Monthly inflows in the current fiscal year have remained elevated: $247.78 billion in July, $242.19 billion in August, and $268.58 million in September.
From July to November 15, remittance receipts totalled $11.67 billion, marking 14.7% growth from the $10.17 billion received during the same period in the previous fiscal year.
With reserves still under pressure and import controls gradually easing, policymakers see remittances as a critical stabiliser. The question now is whether the momentum can be sustained through the year-end peak season.
