In a major relief for 100 percent foreign currency-earning raw jute exporters, Bangladesh Bank (BB) has extended the deadline to resolve their classified loan issues and complete loan rescheduling applications until December 31, 2026.

The central bank issued a circular letter (BRPD-1 Circular Letter No. 33) to the managing directors and chief executive officers of all scheduled banks on Thursday, providing fresh policy support to address ongoing trade disruptions in the raw jute sector.

According to the new circular, exporters with adversely classified loans—classified as Sub-standard (SS), Doubtful (DF), or Bad/Loss (B/L) as of September 30, 2026—can apply for rescheduling by depositing a 2 percent down payment of their total loan balance.

Exporters must submit their applications to their respective banks by September 30, 2026, and banks must process and resolve all received applications by December 31, 2026.

Previously, exporters were required to apply by June 30, 2026, based on their classified loan balance as of December 31, 2025. However, central bank officials noted that due to ongoing complexities and operational hurdles in raw jute exports, many exporters were unable to fulfill the down payment requirements and submit their applications within the earlier timeframe.

The circular, signed by Gazi Md. Mahfuzul Islam, Director of the Banking Regulation and Policy Department-1, stated that all other terms and conditions from previous directives remain unchanged, and the new order takes immediate effect.