Currency printing cost nearly doubles to Tk 459 crore in FY26

Bangladesh Bank's expenditure on printing currency notes has nearly doubled in one year. In the recently concluded fiscal year 2025-26, the cost of printing notes stood at Tk 458.92 crore, up from Tk 234.78 crore in the previous fiscal year. The cost increased by Tk 224.14 crore over the year.

According to Bangladesh Bank's Auditor's Report and Audited Financial Statements for FY 2025-26, the central bank's currency management involves withdrawing old and unusable notes and printing new ones. The required security paper, ink and other materials are sourced from specialised and internationally listed firms. The Security Printing Corporation Bangladesh Limited (SPCB) handles the printing within the country.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson and Executive Director Arif Hossain Khan attributed the higher expenditure to the specialised nature of the materials, limited suppliers and the rising global prices of paper. He noted that supply chain disruptions also contributed to the higher costs. He stated that the cost of ink has increased by 20-30 percent, and the price of security paper has increased by 15-20 percent. He also noted that a new tender for security paper resulted in higher prices due to market conditions.

Following the political change in 2024, an initiative was taken to introduce notes with new designs, replacing those featuring the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Work to change the design of various denominations is ongoing. However, Arif Hossain Khan said the design change contributed minimally to the increased cost, with the primary factor being the rise in paper and ink prices.