Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said today that Bangladesh’s outstanding foreign debt stood at US$ 78.07 billion as of February.

Replying to a query from independent MP Rumeen Farhana in parliament, he said the BNP government has repaid loans amounting to $0.91 billion since assuming office.

The minister also told the House that between FY 2008-09 and FY 2025-26, the government borrowed a total of $85.99 billion in foreign loans.

During the same period, $22.70 billion was repaid as principal and $8.70 billion as interest, he said in response to a question from another lawmaker, Shamsur Rahman Simul Biswas.

In a supplementary question, Rumeen Farhana said borrowing from banks has been steadily increasing since the new government took office. Within just 52 days of assuming power, the government borrowed Tk 44,500 crore from banks, she observed, adding that the target set in the current fiscal year’s budget has already been exceeded due to the rapid rise.

She asked whether the government has any new plans to increase revenue under such circumstances.

In reply, Amir Khosru said the borrowing being referred to is largely carried over from the previous term.

“BNP’s economic policy is to reduce borrowing from local banks. After the upcoming budget, it will be evident how the government is reducing reliance on local banks. This will be reflected in the future and in the next budget as well,” he said.

He further said many businesses are under existential threat.

“They cannot repay bank loans, cannot pay staff salaries, and factories are becoming redundant. These problems have been carried over from before. In this situation, the tax-to-GDP ratio that we had maintained at a higher level was gradually lowered by previous governments. To bring it back to where we had left it, time will be needed,” he added.