Written by The Banking Post
All scheduled banks in Bangladesh will remain closed on March 18 as the government has declared a public holiday on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
However, some bank branches in key industrial zones will operate on a limited scale on March 18 and 19 to facilitate the payment of salaries, bonuses and allowances for garment workers, according to a circular issued by Bangladesh Bank.
The directive was issued on Tuesday by the central bank’s Supervisory Data Management and Analytics Department.
Under the arrangement, bank branches serving the garment industry in several industrial hubs—including Dhaka metropolitan area, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Bhaluka, Narayanganj and Chattogram—will remain open with restricted hours.
These branches will operate from 10:00am to 2:00pm, while banking transactions will be conducted between 10:00am and 1:00pm.
The central bank also instructed banks to keep branches, sub-branches or booths located at seaports, land ports and airports operational to support import and export activities.
Such branches may continue limited operations from March 17 to March 23—except on Eid day—during public and weekly holidays in coordination with local administration and customs authorities.
Officials and employees working during the holidays will receive allowances in line with existing rules, the circular added.
