Last Updated on April 14, 2026 10:48 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have pledged additional financial assistance to Bangladesh beyond regular budget support to help offset deficits caused by the Middle East war, with up to $2 billion likely to be disbursed by June, delegation sources said.
Finance minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, currently leading an 11-member delegation at the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, confirmed the development after meetings with senior officials of both institutions. On April 13, he held separate meetings with IMF executive director Urjit Patel, World Bank vice-president for South Asia John Jutt, and other officials.
“Installment release is one matter, but under the programme there could be something even better,” the minister said, hinting at enhanced support under the IMF’s existing programme. Expressing optimism, he added: “The discussions have been successful overall. I believe we will largely succeed in addressing the deficit we have faced.”
Bangladesh is currently under a $5.5 billion IMF loan programme, with $1.3 billion due in two instalments by June. The World Bank is also expected to provide $400 million in budget support.
The IMF has announced up to $50 billion in emergency support for developing and low-income countries, while the World Bank has pledged up to $25 billion.
The minister said the World Bank was ready to provide “all-out support”, including policy backing and funding. “We assumed office with existing economic deficits, and the war has created a major shortfall… The World Bank will remain active in providing solutions, both in terms of policy and funding,” he said.