In the first half of the fiscal year 2023-24, loan repayments surged by 49%, reaching $156.7 million, compared to $105.3 million during the same period the previous year. The pressure intensifies as repayments for major projects like the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and Padma Bridge Rail Link commence.
Foreign debt and loan interest repayments have more than doubled in the past decade, growing from $2.68 billion in the fiscal year 2022-23 to an estimated $4 billion in the upcoming fiscal year. The debt-to-GDP ratio, currently below 35%, remains within acceptable limits according to IMF standards. However, concerns persist as the severe dollar crisis affects revenue collection, necessitating careful evaluation of foreign loan projects, especially those with shorter repayment periods.