The country's foreign exchange reserves increased in the last 12 months although the remittance inflow showed a declining trend in April this year.

A Bangladesh Bank review released on Wednesday said the foreign exchange reserves rose by US$ 735.6 million or 12.74 percent to US$ 6508.5 million at the end of April 2009 from US$ 5772.9 million at the end of April 2008. According to the review, the remittance inflow from Bangladeshi nationals working abroad decreased by US$ 44.68 million or 5.04 percent in April compared that of in March this year.

The Bangladeshi expatriates channeled US$ 885.67 million until March 2009, which is lower from April's remittance of US $930.35 million, the review said.

The remittance inflow in the past 10 months, however, is higher by US $1443.92 or 22.45 percent compared to the inflow in the last financial year, the review said.

It mentioned that the remittance earnings during July 08- April 09 was US$ 7874.86 million compared to US$ 6430.94 million during the same period of last year.