LONDON, Nov 9 — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) provisionally agreed a US$4.5-billion (RM21 billion) support programme today for Bangladesh, hit by inflation and dwindling reserves of foreign exchange, making it the third South Asian nation to secure a bailout.

The US$416-billion economy has been one of the world’s fastest growing for years but rising energy and food prices, sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, along with the shrinking reserves, have swelled its import bill and current account deficit.

The IMF said a "staff-level agreement” had been reached for a 42-month arrangement, including about US$3.2 billion from its Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and Extended Fund Facility (EFF), plus about US$1.3 billion from its new Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

"The objectives of Bangladesh’s new Fund-supported program are to preserve macroeconomic stability and support strong, inclusive, and green growth, while protecting the vulnerable,” the lender said in a statement.

A staff-level agreement is typically subject to approval by IMF management and consideration by its Executive Board, which is expected in the coming weeks.

The IMF said Bangladesh has put together a programme to foster growth that includes measures to contain inflation and strengthen the financial sector.

Bangladesh becomes the third South Asian nation, after Pakistan and Sri Lanka, to reach a staff-level agreement for loans with the IMF this year.

Its economic mainstay is the export-oriented garment industry, which is bracing for a slowdown as big customers like Walmart are saddled with excess stocks as inflation forces people to prioritise their spending.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves had dwindled to US$35.74 billion by November 2 from US$46.49 billion a year ago, central bank data showed.

"Even as Bangladesh tackles these immediate challenges, addressing long-standing structural issues remains critical, including threats to macroeconomic stability from climate change,” the IMF added. — Reuters