Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday said economic reforms will be implemented in phases in line with the priorities of an elected government, as talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continue over a possible new lending programme.
Speaking after a meeting with an IMF delegation at the finance ministry in Dhaka, he said the reform process would be sequenced and aligned with domestic priorities rather than pursued all at once.
“Reforms will move forward step by step based on the priorities and needs of the elected government,” he said, adding that previously agreed policy directions would form the foundation of any future programme.
He emphasised that the reform process would be carried out with due regard to the mandate of an elected government, with changes introduced gradually based on necessity.
IMF reviews progress, discusses fresh loan
The latest IMF mission is in Dhaka to review progress under the existing programme and to discuss the framework of a potential new arrangement.
Bangladesh is currently under an IMF programme initially approved at around $4.7 billion in 2023 and later expanded to about $5.5 billion. Of this, around $3.6 billion to $3.8 billion has already been disbursed following multiple tranches released after periodic reviews.
The remaining funds are tied to reform conditions, with some disbursements delayed due to uneven progress in areas such as revenue mobilisation, exchange rate management and financial sector governance.
Officials said the discussions with the visiting IMF team also covered the design of a new programme, with a focus on ensuring macroeconomic stability, strengthening institutions and making reforms more realistic and implementable.
Gradual, need-based reform approach
The finance minister indicated that while core reform commitments would continue, their implementation would be paced in line with economic conditions and government priorities.
“A number of changes have already taken place. The remaining ones will be implemented gradually, based on necessity and timing,” he said.
The IMF team is expected to continue consultations with key government agencies during its visit, which is seen as crucial for unlocking future disbursements and shaping Bangladesh’s next phase of economic reforms and external financing strategy.