Every month, between US$1.5 billion (RM6.7 billion) and US$2 billion flow into the coffers of the Bangladesh central bank from the remittances of its people working abroad. The amount is based on what goes through the formal banking channels in Bangladesh. It does not include the large number of remittances made through the illegal money transfer system also known as “hundi”. The foreign exchange comes in handy for the country’s public finances, which are stretched to the extent that it needs assistance from the International Monetary Fund.