Finance Minister: Talks on New IMF Loan Deal Progressing

Bangladesh has agreed to most of the conditions proposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new lending programme, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Monday.

He made the remarks following a meeting with the World Bank on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, Thailand. Amir Khosru said Bangladesh and the World Bank were working on a partnership framework agreement to outline future areas of cooperation. He added that the bank was continuing to support the country.

Regarding negotiations with the IMF, the finance minister said discussions were ongoing on reforms under the proposed loan programme. He said the government was working to align its plans with its commitments to the people, noting that any differences with the IMF would be addressed gradually.

The annual meetings, being held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok until October 18, have brought together more than 15,000 participants from 191 countries, including finance ministers, central bank governors and development partners.