Dhaka, Feb. 24 -- Despite a modest increase in import orders, Bangladesh's import-bill settlement declined during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, reflecting subdued industrial demand and changing foreign-exchange dynamics.

According to data from the Bangladesh Bank, the country opened letters of credit (LCs) worth $42.78 billion during the July-January period of FY26, marking a 2.41-percent increase from $41.76 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

However, LC settlement - which represents actual payments for imported goods - fell slightly during the period.

Bangladesh settled import payments amounting to $40.03 billion, down by 1.21 per cent from $40.52 billion in the corresponding period of the la...