Dhaka, July 13 -- The government has begun discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure a new loan program. The Ministry of Finance has held talks with the IMF regarding the key principles and framework on which the next lending arrangement will be based.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury disclosed the information to journalists on Monday after a meeting at the ministry with Ivo Krznar, the IMF Mission Chief for Bangladesh and Hong Kong.

The Finance Minister said that the government has clarified the foundations on which the new IMF-supported program will be structured, and the IMF has fully agreed with the proposed framework. He said reforms would continue in line with the country's economic realities an...