Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said on Saturday that Bangladesh has recorded a notable surge in foreign debt repayments during the first ten months of the current fiscal year.

In a statement shared on his verified Facebook page, Asif—who also serves as an adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports—revealed that the country has repaid USD 3.5 billion in foreign loans from July to April of the 2024–25 fiscal year. This amount already exceeds the total repayment made over the entire previous fiscal year.

"The repayment volume for the first ten months has increased by 24.73% compared to the same period last year," he stated.

Breaking down the figures, Mahmud noted that principal repayments alone totaled USD 2.02 billion, reflecting a sharp 32.86% rise from USD 1.66 billion recorded in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

In a separate post addressing civic concerns, the adviser discussed the improvement in urban drainage systems following recent heavy rainfall. He said this year’s water-logging was “less severe than ever” due to enhanced drainage preparations.

"Drainage systems were cleared and made operational in advance to ensure smooth water flow," Mahmud said. He credited round-the-clock efforts by city corporation personnel during the storms for minimizing disruptions caused by stagnant water.

He also encouraged residents to reach out to the control room if they encounter water-logging in their localities, assuring swift governmental action to address any reported issues.