Dhaka, April 20 -- After seven consecutive months of decline, Bangladesh's private sector short-term external debt recorded a notable rebound in February, increasing by $354.64 million (3.6 per cent) to reach $10.16 billion.

The unexpected rise contrasts with earlier projections of a continued slowdown and suggests a renewed appetite for foreign borrowing among private firms.

The primary driver of the increase was buyer's credit, which rose to $5.29 billion from $5.08 billion in January - an increase of $ 208.92 million. Short-term loans also contributed, climbing by $101.07 million to $2.15 billion.

Import financing facilities registered a modest rise, up by $8.99 million to $652.63 million. Back-to-back letters of credit (LCs) increa...