Bangladesh’s Eastern Bank and Sonali Bank plan to initiate trade transactions in Indian rupees to bolster FX reserves and cut reliance on the USD, in line with a global trend among developing nations. This strategy aims to safeguard FX reserves during economic crises, with Bangladesh’s dipping from USD 41.88 bln to USD 31.16 bln within a year. The country has shifted to a more market-determined exchange rate for stability, and its central bank plans to introduce a taka-rupee debit card in September, reducing currency conversion losses by 6%.