Bangladesh Bank (BB) has allowed banks to provide a special loan facility for active export-oriented industries to pay workers’ wages and allowances for February 2026, reports BSS.
The move aims to maintain production capacity and sustain the country’s export momentum amid prevailing economic challenges, according to a circular issued Tuesday.
The central bank said global and domestic economic headwinds, declining exports, delays in opening letters of credit and liquidity stress have disrupted production in many export-oriented factories. As a result, some firms are struggling to pay salaries and allowances on time.
To ensure uninterrupted production and preserve export capacity, banks have been instructed to extend term loans — outside existing working capital limits — to solvent units specifically for disbursing February wages.
The loan amount cannot exceed the average wage and allowance payments of the previous three months of the respective firm. Only industries exporting at least 80 percent of their total output will qualify. Eligible applicants must also have paid workers’ wages for the period from November 2025 to January 2026.
The status of being “export-oriented” and “operational” must be certified by relevant trade bodies, including the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
Banks will directly transfer funds into workers’ bank accounts, including through mobile financial services. The facility will carry market-based interest rates and must be repaid within a maximum of one year, including a three-month grace period. Repayment may be made on a monthly or quarterly installment basis.
The central bank has barred banks from charging any additional fees, commissions or penalties beyond the regular interest. The directive was issued under Section 45 of the Bank Company Act, 1991.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
