Dhaka, April 8 -- Bangladesh Bank has stepped up monitoring of foreign exchange transactions as the taka has weakened against the US dollar over the past five weeks.

On Tuesday, the interbank rate climbed to Tk 122.85 per dollar, marking a rise of Tk 0.55 over the period, after standing at Tk 122.30 on Mar 1 when the local currency had begun to strengthen on improved dollar supply in banks.

At that time, the central bank had absorbed excess dollars from commercial lenders to hold the rate steady.

Since Governor Moshtaqur Rahman took charge, Bangladesh Bank last purchased $25 million from the market on Mar 2 at a cut-off rate of Tk 122.30.

So far, in the current fiscal year, the central bank has bought a total of $5.49 billion, equival...