The International Monetary Fund (IMF) asked about the date of the national election in Bangladesh before releasing the fourth and fifth tranches of its loan, says Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed. Around midnight on Monday Bangladesh time, the IMF's executive board approved the long-delayed fourth and fifth tranches of the loan. Bangladesh is receiving nearly $1.34 billion from the tranches of the $4.7 billion loan programme this month. The IMF did not approve the loan tranches to Bangladesh following two board meetings in February and March. On Wednesday, regarding the IMF loan, the finance adviser said: "Everyone, including the IMF, is satisfied that an election date has been announced.
