The Bangladesh Bank has instructed scheduled banks to keep limited banking services operational during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays to ensure uninterrupted import and export activities.
In a circular issued on Monday, the central bank’s Supervisory Data Management and Analytics Department (SDAD) directed banks to keep branches, sub-branches and booths open on a limited scale at seaports, land ports and airports from March 17 to March 23, except on the day of Eid, depending on operational requirements.
The directive was subsequently sent to the managing directors of all scheduled banks across the country.
According to the circular, the measure has been taken to maintain smooth international trade operations during the extended Eid holidays. Banks located in port and airport areas will provide essential banking services as required.
In addition, special bank branches in key industrial zones will remain open on March 18 and March 19. On these two days, banks will operate from 10:00am to 2:00pm, while customer transactions will be conducted from 10:00am to 1:00pm. A break for the Zuhr prayer will be observed from 1:15pm to 1:30pm.
The arrangement will apply to major garment industry hubs, including Savar, Gazipur, Tongi, Ashulia, Bhaluka, Narayanganj, and Chittagong.
Meanwhile, banks will be allowed to determine customer transaction hours at their own discretion on March 17 and from March 20 to March 23.
However, if Eid-ul-Fitr is observed on March 21, all banks across the country will remain closed on that day.