BBN file photo

Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Bangladesh has made a routine payment of US$1.15 billion to the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) against imports during the January-February period of 2019.

After the payment, the foreign exchange (forex) reserve fell to $ 31.44 billion on Thursday from higher level of $ 32.39 billion on Tuesday. It was $31. 32 billion on Wednesday last.

Earlier on 27 December last calendar year, the reserve was $33.10 billion. It was $32.94 billion on June 30, 2018.

Bangladesh will be able to settle around five months of import bills with the existing forex reserve.

Meanwhile, the amount of ACU payment came down to $ 1.146 billion during the period under review from $ 1.148 billion earlier mainly due to lower imports from the ACU member countries, particularly from India.

Bangladesh is importing different consumer items, cotton, raw materials and capital machinery from the ACU member countries, particularly from India, according to the central bankers.

BBN/SS/ANS