Bangladesh Bank has ordered banks to remain open on a limited scale even during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays to keep import-export activities active.
Bank branches, sub-branches and booths will be kept open as needed in sea, land and airport areas from March 17 to 23, except for Eid.
The Supervisory Data Management and Analytics Department (SDAD) of the central bank issued a directive in this regard on Monday (March 16).
The directive was later sent to the managing directors of all scheduled banks in the country.
The directive also stated that banking services should be kept open in seaports, land ports and airport areas so that international trade activities are not disrupted even during the long Eid holidays.
The banks concerned in these areas will keep branches, sub-branches and booths open on a limited scale as needed.
In addition, special branches in industrial areas will be open on March 18 (Wednesday) and March 19 (Thursday). Banks will be open from 10 am to 2 pm on these two days.
However, transactions with customers will continue from 10 am to 1 pm. There will be a break for Zuhr prayers from 1:15 pm to 1:30 pm.
This facility will cover the country's main garment industry-intensive areas - Savar, Gazipur, Tongi, Ashulia, Bhaluka, Narayanganj and Chittagong.
Meanwhile, the banks concerned will be able to determine the timing of transactions with customers on March 17 and from March 20 to 23 under their own management.
It is worth noting that if Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated on March 21, then all banks in the country will be closed on that day.