The Bangladesh Jewellers’ Association (BAJUS) has decided to sell each bhori (11.664 grammes) of gold at Tk 1,11,041 lakh, marking a new record. This decision was made due to a rise in pure gold prices and the increasing demand-supply gap. The current price of each bhori of 22-carat gold ornaments is Tk 1.09 lakh. In July, 2023, the price of gold crossed the Tk 100,000-mark for the first time in Bangladesh.
On November 29,2023, BAJUS set the price per bhori at more than Tk 1.09 lakh. Despite Bangladesh’s minimal gold imports, prices are influenced by international fluctuations and domestic market volatility. The country’s annual gold demand ranges from 20 to 40 tonnes, with 80 percent met through smuggling. To discourage imports and save foreign currency, the Bangladesh Bank mandated a 100 percent margin on letters of credit for gold. This move aims to address the decline in the country’s foreign currency reserve, which has decreased by about 25 percent in the past 18 months.