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Published : 18 Apr 2026, 12:18 PM
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) remains “positive” about continuing Bangladesh’s loan programme, dismissing reports that talks had reached the point of suspending the remaining tranche disbursements.
He made the remarks in Washington on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings after a meeting with IMF Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke.
Asked about reports that the IMF had decided to halt the next tranche, Khosru said no such discussion had taken place.
“Whether the IMF has said no is something they can say,” he told reporters.
“How can I say that? As far as I know, there has been no such discussion. We have not even gone to that stage.”
The finance minister said discussions with the lender were still under way and that unresolved issues would be addressed through that process.
“This is an ongoing process. It is not a decision of one day or one hour. The discussions will continue.”
Asked whether Bangladesh would receive the remaining instalments under the programme, Khosru nodded in the affirmative and said: “We are seeing positivity from everyone.”
Reports had emerged during the meetings that the IMF had decided to suspend the next tranche because Bangladesh had failed to meet conditions related to reform in the revenue and banking sectors.
The reports also said the country had been advised to consider a new programme, raising concern that Bangladesh could face tougher conditions under a fresh arrangement.
Khosru, however, said the World Bank and the IMF remained “very positive” about continuing Bangladesh’s financing and loan programme.
He said it would still take time to know what the final package would look like, including how much money would be released and under what conditions.
“To put it in one sentence, everyone’s attitude here is very positive,” he said.
“But we will have to wait to see what the package looks like. I cannot say that now.”
He said the lenders’ position was positive because they were aligned with Bangladesh’s economic direction and with the ruling BNP's manifesto.
“Since they are aligned, they are prepared to provide support,” he said.
The minister also said he held a meeting on the same day with the US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, where they discussed trade and ICT cooperation.
Bangladesh secured a $4.7 billion IMF loan in 2023 under the Awami League government and has so far received $3.64 billion in five instalments.
The sixth tranche, worth $1.3 billion, had been due in December last year, but the disbursement was delayed after the IMF indicated that the money should go to an elected government.
Before releasing that amount, the lender wants to see progress in implementing the agreed conditions.
Bangladesh is also seeking at least $3 billion in budget support to help manage current economic pressures, the upcoming budget and the impact of the war, and that issue is also under discussion at the current meetings.
