Bangladesh Bank has doubled the amount of export earnings that exporters of goods with high import content can retain in foreign currency. Eligible exporters will now be allowed to retain up to 15 per cent of their repatriated export proceeds in Exporters’ Retention Quota (ERQ) accounts, up from the previous 7.5 per cent.
The central bank issued a circular in this regard on Wednesday, saying the decision takes immediate effect. As a result, exporters of high import content goods will be able to retain twice as much of the repatriated Free on Board (FOB) value of their export earnings in ERQ accounts.
Under Bangladesh Bank’s foreign exchange regulations, funds held in ERQ accounts may be used to meet various approved foreign currency expenses. The higher retention limit will enable eligible exporters to use more foreign exchange for legitimate overseas payments, including imports of raw materials and other business-related expenses.
The circular said all other provisions of Paragraph 76 of FE Circular No. 31, issued on 31 July 2025, will remain unchanged. The only revision is the increase in the ERQ retention limit for exporters of goods with high import content from 7.5 per cent to 15 per cent.
