Online Desk  :   The Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Monday announced monetary policy for the second half of the current fiscal year, saying it would keep its policy rate, at which it lends to commercial banks, unchanged at 10% till June 10 to reduce inflation. Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur presented the new monetary policy during a press conference at the central bank on Monday afternoon. The policy interest rate remains unchanged, meaning lending rates will not rise further. Despite recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the central bank has opted to maintain the policy rate.

The BB has also kept the private sector credit growth target for January-June at 9.8%. This is the first monetary policy unveiled under the interim government, which assumed office last August following the fall of the fascist Awami League government. The central bank has announced a new monetary policy targeting an inflation rate of 7-8% and setting GDP growth at 4-5%. The monetary policy focuses on stabilising three key financial indicators: exchange rates, inflation and interest rates.