Bangladesh Bank is set to gain long-anticipated independence as the central bank prepares to present a landmark proposal to the interim government’s advisory council this week, seeking approval for the Bangladesh Bank Order Amendment 2025.

Officials from both the central bank and the Ministry of Finance confirmed that the proposed amendment, alongside a detailed roadmap for bank mergers, will be placed before the advisory council led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus for final endorsement.

The move marks a pivotal step in granting full regulatory autonomy to Bangladesh Bank, replacing the long-standing Bangladesh Bank Order 1972 under which the institution has operated for over five decades.

According to officials, the central bank’s board reached consensus on the autonomy issue several weeks ago after a series of internal discussions.

“This is one of the most crucial reforms for restoring discipline and resilience in the country’s financial system,” a central banker said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are hopeful of getting both the amendment and the bank merger roadmap approved.”

The proposed reform carries added significance as it aligns with one of the key conditions of the International Monetary Fund’s $5.5 billion loan programme, which calls for stronger governance and independence in monetary and banking oversight to stabilise Bangladesh’s macroeconomic framework.

Central bank officials said Governor Dr Ahsan H. Mansur and the finance adviser will present the proposals before departing for Washington on 11 October to attend the annual meetings of the World Bank and the IMF.

The initiative is being viewed as a cornerstone of the interim government’s broader efforts to rebuild public trust and revive the country’s fragile financial sector through institutional reform and improved accountability.