Best bank accounts for import export businesses in South Asia

Choose the best bank account for cross-border trade with our side-by-side comparison

Key takeaways

• Standard Chartered offers foreign currency accounts for cross-border trade in Pakistan and Bangladesh with differing fees
• MTB ERQ accounts let Bangladeshi exporters retain 30%-35% of export earnings in foreign currency
• BRAC bank Shadin account reduces banking costs through waived maintenance, debit card and cheque book fees
• Meezan Asaan remittance account is made for receiving personal funds, not commercial import or export payments
• The World Account complements a bank account with multi-currency collections, supplier payments and World Card access.

If your business buys from overseas suppliers, sells to international customers, or both, you would likely require a bank account that supports international payments. Importers often need multi-currency support to pay suppliers in different countries, while exporters may need accounts that let them receive payments in multiple currencies and retain part of their export earnings for future international business expenses.

In this guide, we compare the best bank accounts for import export businesses in Pakistan and Bangladesh, and explore how a multi-currency account can be used alongside your existing banking setup for international trade.

Best bank accounts for import-export businesses in South Asia

1. Standard Chartered Current Accounts

Standard Chartered offers different current account options in Pakistan and Bangladesh that support businesses managing cross-border trade:^1,2

• Pakistan: The foreign currency current account allows importers and exporters to hold funds in multiple foreign currencies instead of converting them into PKR immediately.¹ This can help exporters retain foreign currency from overseas buyers for future supplier payments, while importers can manage payments in major trade currencies like USD.¹ The account also includes online and mobile banking for international transactions¹
• Bangladesh: The current account is designed for businesses that require both international and domestic transactions.² Foreign currency account holders receive free account maintenance, while local currency accounts incur a half-yearly maintenance fee of BDT 300.² International VISA debit cards are available on foreign currency accounts²

Pricing:

• Pakistan: Minimum opening deposit and balance of USD/GBP/EUR 2,000 (or equivalent)¹
• Bangladesh: No minimum balance requirement; zero account maintenance fee for foreign currency accounts²

*Fees checked in July 2026

2. BRAC bank Shadhin current account

The BRAC bank Shadhin current account is a local business account for Bangladeshi SMEs, helping importers and exporters handle domestic business expenses alongside international trade activities.³

Businesses maintaining a monthly average balance of BDT 25,000 receive waivers on account maintenance, debit card and cheque book fees, that reduces their routine banking costs.³ Intercity deposits and withdrawals of up to BDT 100,000 can be made at no cost.³

Pricing:

• Minimum opening deposit: BDT 1,000³
• Account maintenance: Free with a monthly average balance of BDT 25,000 or more; otherwise up to BDT 300 + VAT half-yearly³

*Fees checked in July 2026

3. Mutual Trust Bank (MTB) ERQ account

The MTB Exporter’s Retention Quota (ERQ) account is designed for Bangladeshi exporters who receive payments from buyers across the globe.⁴ Instead of converting all export proceeds into BDT immediately, businesses can retain 30%-35% of export earnings in foreign currency, with the balance credited to a linked BDT account.⁴

This helps exporters keep foreign currency available for future supplier payments or other overseas business expenses, reducing the need for double currency conversions. ⁴ Eligible customers also receive an international prepaid card at zero cost during the first year for qualifying overseas business spending.⁴

Pricing: Zero opening balance requirement⁴

*Fees checked in July 2026

4. Meezan Asaan remittance account

The Meezan Asaan remittance account is made mainly for personal foreign remittances, not commercial import or export payments.⁵ Available to new-to-bank Pakistani residents, the account can be opened as a current or savings account in PKR.⁵ It supports personal foreign remittances of up to PKR 3,000,000 per month, with daily withdrawal and transfer limits of PKR 500,000.⁵

Note: Resident Pakistanis may hold only one Meezan Asaan Remittance Account5

Pricing: No initial deposit⁵

*Fees checked in July 2026

The World Account: A multi-currency account for import export operations

The World Account is a multi-currency account from WorldFirst, a cross-border payments provider, which can work alongside an existing bank account. For importers and exporters, this means keeping local banking for domestic transactions while using the World Account for international collections and supplier payments.

Businesses can receive international payments from overseas buyers, hold funds in multiple currencies, convert foreign currency when required and pay international suppliers without routing every transaction through a traditional business bank account. Businesses can also use a Mastercard-powered virtual card–the World Card, to pay for international business expenses directly from supported currency balances.

Key features

• Hold and receive funds through local currency accounts in 15+ currencies, including USD, GBP, EUR, CNH and more
• Receive payments from overseas buyers through 130+ marketplaces and payment gateways, including Amazon, Etsy and Stripe
• Send payments in multiple currencies
• Make instant payments to other World Account holders at zero cost
• Pay 1688.com suppliers in CNH through World Pay, the authorised international payment provider for 1688.com, which can simplify payments for businesses sourcing goods from China
• Access the World Card, a Mastercard-powered payment card with up to 20 virtual cards at zero issuance cost. Businesses pay no fees when spending in any of the 15+ supported currencies, provided there is a sufficient balance in that currency
• Integrate with Xero and NetSuite to reconcile cross-border transactions

Pricing for the World Account

*Fees checked in July 2026

Find the right multi-currency account fit for your global trade

Moving goods across borders is challenging enough and your banking setup shouldn’t add to the workload. Look beyond basic account fees and compare how each option handles foreign currencies, export earnings, international payments and trade finance services. The right combination of a domestic bank account and a multi-currency payment provider like WorldFirst can reduce currency conversion costs, simplify supplier payments and help you keep more control over your international cash flow as your business grows.

FAQs

Q: What is the best bank account for import export businesses in Pakistan or Bangladesh?

There is no single best option as it all depends on your business needs. Businesses should compare factors such as foreign currency support, international payment capabilities, export earnings retention rules, trade finance services and banking fees before choosing an account.

Q: What is an ERQ account and how does it help exporters?

An Exporter’s Retention Quota (ERQ) account allows eligible exporters to retain a percentage of their export earnings in foreign currency instead of converting everything into local currency. This can help pay overseas suppliers and other international business expenses without repeated currency conversions.

Q: Can import export businesses hold foreign currency in a local bank account?

Yes. Some banks in Pakistan and Bangladesh offer foreign currency accounts or export retention accounts that allow eligible businesses to hold currencies such as USD, GBP or EUR, subject to local regulations and account eligibility.

Q: How can businesses pay Chinese suppliers on 1688.com from Pakistan or Bangladesh?

Businesses can pay 1688.com suppliers through World Pay, where the World Account supports payments in CNH as the authorised international payment provider for 1688.com.

Sources

1. https://www.sc.com/pk/save/foreign-currency-account/
2. https://www.sc.com/bd/deposits/current-accounts/current-account/
3. https://www.bracbank.com/en/sme/accounts/shadhin-current-account
4. https://www.mutualtrustbank.com/retail/deposit-products/foreign-currency-account/mtb-erq-account/
5. https://www.meezanbank.com/asaan-remittance-account/

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or professional advice. This article should not be regarded as constituting an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell any regulated or financial products or services. WorldFirst makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content, and readers are encouraged to consult with legal professionals or other professionals for advice tailored to their specific situation. WorldFirst does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this article and expressly disclaims any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance on this article.