Bangladesh opens debt conference as financing costs pressure public finances

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Bangladesh debt conference opens

Highlights

Bangladesh and Asian Development Bank launched the International Debt Conference Bangladesh 2026 in Cox's Bazar amid rising debt-servicing costs and global borrowing pressures.
Officials at the conference are emphasizing diversification of financing sources, domestic capital market reform, and raising long-term funds to reach Bangladesh's $1 trillion GDP target by 2034.
The Finance Division plans to implement an Annual Borrowing Plan this fiscal year, propose a dedicated Debt Management Office, and explore international bond market investor access through Euroclear and Clearstream platforms.

Debt strategy conference opens in Cox's Bazar

As reported by The Business Standard, the Finance Division and the Asian Development Bank are jointly organising Bangladesh's first international debt conference at Ocean Paradise Hotel in Cox's Bazar. Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury is set to inaugurate the event, titled "International Debt Conference Bangladesh 2026", under the theme "Public Debt Management in a Changing Global Landscape".

According to a report prepared by the Finance Division, the conference is bringing together policymakers, representatives of international financial institutions, debt management specialists and other professionals from Bangladesh and abroad. Experts from the U.S., the UK, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are expected to share their experience.

The discussions are focusing on government borrowing strategies, debt costs and risk management, raising funds from international bond markets and attracting private investment. The event comes as Bangladesh faces rising debt-servicing costs, exchange rate volatility and higher borrowing costs in overseas markets.

Capital market reform and investor access in focus

Officials are also looking beyond conventional foreign borrowing to diversify financing sources and strengthen the domestic capital market. Bangladesh is pursuing long-term funding for development projects while aiming to build a $1 trillion economy by 2034.

The Finance Division has already taken several steps to improve debt management, including preparing a Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy, conducting regular debt sustainability analyses and publishing public debt bulletins. It is also preparing to introduce an Annual Borrowing Plan in the current fiscal year, while the proposed creation of a separate Debt Management Office is due to be discussed at the conference.

Another key objective is to attract international investors to Bangladesh's government bond market. That effort requires stronger market liquidity, better settlement infrastructure, greater currency convertibility and more predictable policy settings, while the country is also exploring links with international securities settlement platforms Euroclear and Clearstream.

Previously, we outlined the main factors behind ADB’s ASEAN funding push for resilient rivers and the digital economy through 2030.

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