The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will consult Bangladesh’s next government before completing the forthcoming loan review, IMF mission chief Chris Papageorgiou has said.
Speaking at a virtual press conference, Papageorgiou noted that discussions with the authorities would remain ongoing.
An IMF team led by Papageorgiou visited Dhaka from 29th October to 13th November to discuss economic and financial policies under the 2025 Article IV consultation, as well as the fifth review of the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF), Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
In a statement, Papageorgiou said that talks on the fifth review would continue over the coming months. He said the Fund remained committed to supporting Bangladesh in its efforts to achieve sustained macroeconomic stability and broad-based economic growth.
He added that the next mission is expected to take place at the end of April or in early May, at which time the Fund would reassess whether the review should be combined.
Earlier, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed told the media that the next IMF loan instalment may arrive in March or April next year, following the national election, and insisted that the timing would not negatively affect the economy.
Addressing questions about meetings with political parties, Papageorgiou confirmed that the mission had met with Jamaat-e-Islami and the BNP to discuss potential reforms.
He said the discussions were essential, noting that the delegation wanted to understand the parties’ views on the IMF programme and their broader economic plans. He described the exchanges as constructive.
Papageorgiou added that both parties had expressed support for the IMF programme and for continued collaboration with other international financial institutions. They also proposed convening a roundtable with all international financial institutions and development partners after the election to identify priority areas for reform.
