Dhaka, April 30 -- Bangladesh is experiencing mounting pressure in repaying its foreign debt, as outflows for loan servicing continue to rise alongside fresh disbursements, according to the latest report from the Economic Relations Division (ERD).

In the first nine months of the current fiscal year (July-March), the country paid more than $3.5 billion in principal and interest on external loans to development partners, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Japan, bdnews24.com reports.

The ERD report shows that Bangladesh repaid $3.525 billion during the period, while receiving $3.89 billion in foreign loans and grants. Of the repayments, $2.276 billion was principal and $1.25 billion interest.

Foreign loans are primaril...