Bangladesh received $2.766 billion in remittances from expatriates in September, down 6.76 percent from $2.9666 billion in August but up 3 percent from $2.686 billion in September last year.
Those involved say unrest in the Middle East and fewer job opportunities there have slowed remittance flows somewhat. In particular, fewer new workers going abroad could affect remittances in future. Stricter visa and recruitment processes in Saudi Arabia and some other countries have slowed new departures, and slower development work in Middle Eastern countries is also affecting job creation.
According to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), 333,427 workers went abroad in the six months from February 17 to August 17, 2026, against 542,438 in the same period last year, a fall of 209,011, or about 38.53 percent.
Bankers say the exchange rate in legal channels and the government’s cash incentive are still encouraging remittances, so despite some monthly decline, remittances continue to play an important role in the country’s foreign exchange supply.
Remittances have stayed below $3 billion for four months in a row, at $2.86 billion in July and $2.82 billion in June, after six straight months above $3 billion. But those involved say it is too early to call it a major fall, as remittances in each of June, July, August and September were higher than a year earlier. They believe flows are returning to a more normal or seasonal level after several months of unusually high inflows.
In the first three months of fiscal 2026-27 (July-September), remittances totalled $8.591 billion, up 13.3 percent from $7.586 billion a year earlier. Announcing monetary policy on Wednesday, Bangladesh Bank deputy governor Dr Habibur Rahman said the 18.90 percent rise in remittances was a relief that had given some support to the external sector, and a relatively stable exchange rate had helped control imported inflation.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report