Bangladesh’s foreign debt repayment has significantly increased during the first ten months of the ongoing fiscal year, surpassing the total amount paid in the previous year, according to government adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain.

In a statement issued through his verified Facebook page, Asif Mahmud — who advises both the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Youth and Sports — said the country has repaid USD 350 crore from July 2024 to April 2025, marking a 24.73 percent rise compared to the same period last fiscal year.

He noted that principal repayments alone stood at approximately USD 2.02 billion, a 32.86% increase from the USD 1.66 billion repaid during the corresponding months of FY 2023–24.

“The total repayment in just ten months has already exceeded last year’s full-year figure,” Mahmud said, highlighting the growing financial obligations of the country amid global and domestic economic challenges.

In a separate post, the adviser also commented on the recent urban water-logging following heavy rainfall, noting that the situation this season has been “less severe than ever before.”

He credited advance preparation of drainage systems and round-the-clock activity by city corporation staff for the swift removal of stagnant water.

“The drainage systems were cleared beforehand, and field workers remained active throughout the night, helping to minimize public suffering,” he wrote, urging residents to contact control rooms if their areas experience water-logging.

The adviser reaffirmed the government’s commitment to quick responses in addressing urban infrastructural issues during the monsoon.

SMS/