Initially, the loan package for such purpose was Tk 30,000 crore when it was first announced on April 5 this year under the Economic Stimulus Package.
Later, the fund was enhanced to Tk 33,000 crore to facilitate the salary payment of the export-oriented garment industries.
“Now, this fund has been increased to Tk 40,000 crore to facilitate the loan/investment support to the affected industries and service sector,” said the circular, issued by the Banking Regulation and Policy Department (BRDP) of BB for all scheduled banks
The circular said it was decided that beside the local industries, the increased fund of Tk 7,000 crore will be applicable for loan/investment facilities for the Covid-19 affected A, B and C type foreign and joint-venture industries in areas under Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA).
The initiative was taken to support the affected foreign and joint venture industries under such authorities in order to strengthen their financial capabilities to continue production and employment.
The interest rate of the loans under the package will be 9 percent of which the government will provide 4.5 percent as subsidy, said the central bank circular.
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