Bangladesh’s private sector entrepreneurs, initially attracted by low interest rates on foreign loans, now face significant challenges due to currency devaluation and a dollar crisis. As of May FY24, the sector’s foreign debt stood at $11.04 billion, with $2.02 billion borrowed from the UAE. Rising interest rates and a 32% increase in the dollar rate have diminished interest in foreign loans, prompting a shift towards domestic borrowing.
Bankers attribute the reduced foreign loan uptake to unstable dollar markets, reserve crises, and increased interest rates over the past two years. Central bank data reveals a decrease in private sector foreign debt by $5.38 billion since December 2022, driven by loan repayments amid escalating costs.