Bangladesh, Oct. 12 -- Indications are there that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) might extend a loan of US$4.5 billion under a new programme to Bangladesh.

Officials said the preliminary positive indications came as a Bangladesh delegation led by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury Monday opened negotiations on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok.

The IMF lending recipe that covers three years is meant to help meet the country's external financing needs and support economic reforms.

Preliminary discussions between Bangladesh and the Washington-based multilateral lender have figured out a $4.5-billion package, although the final amount, financing terms and policy conditions have yet to be agr...