“Have enough forex reserves to import food for 6-9 months”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (July 27, 2022) said Bangladesh would be able to meet six to nine months of import expenditures with the existing foreign currency reserves.

"We have money in hand to import foodgrains and others (essentials items) for at least three months during any crisis. We'll be able to import food for six to nine months, not only for three months, with the reserve we have right now," she said.

The premier was addressing the 28th founding anniversary programme of Bangladesh Awami Swechhasebak League at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in Dhaka, joining it through a virtual platform from her official residence Gono Bhaban.

She said despite having enough forex reserves, the government will have to take steps to grow more crops in order to save the foreign currencies and keep the reserve for emergencies.

Awami Swechhasebak League, an associate body and the volunteer wing of Bangladesh Awami League, was founded on July 27 in 1994.

At the function, a cake was cut celebrating the birthday of Sajeeb Wazed Joy, PM's son and her ICT affairs adviser.

A documentary was screened on the late Swechhasebak League president Nirmal Ranjan Guha who died on June 29.

Swechhasebak League founding president AFM Bahauddin Nasim also spoke at the function.

Acting president of Swechhasebak League Gazi Mesbaul Hossain Shachchu presided over the event conducted by its general secretary Afzalur Rahman Babu.