In response to ongoing US dollar shortages, the Bangladesh Bank has once again reduced the retention limits for exporters’ foreign currency accounts. Exporters can retain a portion of their earnings in Export Retention Quota (ERQ) accounts to settle back-to-back letter of credit liabilities without incurring exchange losses. Previously, the retention quota ranged from 15 percent to 70 percent, depending on the type of export. However, in July 2022, the Bangladesh Bank temporarily reduced these limits to 7.5 percent, 30 percent, and 35 percent, but the caps reverted to their original levels on January 1, 2023, as no further directives were issued.
Now, the central bank has once again lowered the limits to 7.5 percent, 30 percent, and 35 percent. The duration of this adjustment has not been specified. The move aims to address the ongoing forex shortage, resulting from declining reserves, increased import costs, and lower remittance and export earnings. Reducing the ERQ limits is expected to improve liquidity in the banking system.