Remittance inflow hits all-time high

Remittance inflows reached $3.75 billion in March, an all-time high, as Bangladeshis working abroad sent increased amounts to enable their loved ones to celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr festival amid the escalating war in the Middle East stemming from the US-Israel conflict with Iran.

The inflow surged 14 percent year-on-year from $3.29 billion in March 2025.

With March included, overall remittance—which serves as a major source for Bangladesh to clear its external payments—stood at $26.20 billion in the first nine months of the fiscal year 2025-26, posting a 20 percent spike over the same period a year ago, according to Bangladesh Bank (BB) data.

In February, remittances stood at $3.02 billion.

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Over $3 billion remittance came in February

However, industry insiders and economists have earlier warned that inflows may slow in the coming months due to the Middle East crisis.

A recent BB quarterly report also projected a possible slowdown in remittances amid migration disruptions and economic uncertainty in the region.

The escalating tensions in the Gulf have already driven up prices of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer, and sulphur, as Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz—a key route for about one-fifth of global oil exports and nearly one-third of fertilizer shipments.