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BB grants 90-day credit facility for 10 essential Ramadan imports
Published : Wednesday, 11 November, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Observer Online Report
To keep the supply of essential food items normal and prices affordable during the holy month of Ramadan, Bangladesh Bank has granted a usance (deferred payment) import facility of up to 90 days for 10 commodities. Under this facility, importers will be able to settle payments within a specified period after receiving the goods.
On Wednesday, the Foreign Exchange Policy Department-1 of Bangladesh Bank issued a circular in this regard.
Under the new directives, rice, wheat (flour), onions, lentils, edible oil, sugar, chana (gram), peas, spices, and dates can be imported. Businesses will be able to import these goods through suppliers' credit or buyers' credit.
Arif Hossain Khan, spokesperson and executive director of Bangladesh Bank, said this initiative has been taken to keep the prices of consumer goods that are in high demand every Ramadan within the purchasing power of the general public. To enable importers to take early initiatives in importing goods, banks have been given the opportunity to facilitate imports under buyers' or suppliers' credit for up to 90 days. This means payment can be made 90 days after import.
He said, "We do not want any extra burden of commodity prices on people centering around Ramadan. This circular has primarily been issued so that ordinary people can buy necessary goods at relatively affordable prices. If importers take initiatives right now, it will be possible to keep the supply of goods in the market normal."
Arif Hossain Khan further noted that price hikes occur when a deficit is created between the demand and supply of goods. Therefore, the import facility has been provided ahead of Ramadan. If importers bring in adequate quantities of goods, market shortages will be prevented and the pressure of price hikes can be mitigated.
The Bangladesh Bank circular states that this commercial import facility has been provided with the objective of maintaining a normal supply of essential food items and keeping prices at tolerable levels during Ramadan. As a result, importers will not need to pay the full price at the time of import and can settle it within a maximum of 90 days.
The circular also mentioned that FEPD-1 Circular No. 30, Part-D, Paragraph 1(1) issued on August 13 previously allowed the import of certain goods under deferred payment conditions. Through the new decision, this facility has been expanded keeping the upcoming Ramadan in mind.
Other instructions from the previous circular will remain unchanged. Additionally, authorized dealer banks have been instructed to inform their respective customers about the new directives.
-MT
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, 01550707296
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Online-email: [email protected]
