After five full days of closure, banks reopened on a limited scale all over Bangladesh. Hundreds queued around the country to withdraw cash and pay utility bills.
Import, export and remittance-related services have also resumed.
Banking transactions came to a halt during the first three working days of the week due to the ongoing curfew and general holiday declared by the government. Internet across the country was also suspended along with 4G mobile internet services, causing extreme suffering to the customers.
However, broadband internet services were restored partially in some places on Tuesday night, bringing relief to people whose lives and businesses were severely affected by the internet blackout since Thursday.
People were also seen queuing in front of ATM booths to withdraw cash around various areas of the city.
The MDs were told that 50% of the bank's branches should be kept open on Wednesday and 75% of the branches on Thursday.
The directive also stated that during the relaxed hours of the curfew from 11 am to 3 pm, banking services should be provided in limited form in designated branches ensuring proper security. Banks will take initiatives to keep branches open as per their convenience.
Industry insiders assume normal banking transactions will resume from Sunday.
Bangladesh Bank waives penalty
In a circular issued on Wednesday (July 24), Bangladesh Bank declared a special opportunity to pay off loan and credit card dues and deposit installments of various savings schemes of all banks and financial institutions of the county in consideration of the situation.
The central bank says installments of various savings schemes, including loan repayments, credit card bills and DPS can be accepted till July 31.
However, before the central bank's circular few banks like City Bank, Brac Bank, Mutual Trust Bank, Pubali Bank and Standard Chartered Bangladesh decided to not impose any interest or fees on their clients for delayed payment of loan installments.
Factories in 2 Chittagong EPZs resume operations
All factories in the Chittagong Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) and Karnaphuli EPZ (KEPZ) resumed operations on Wednesday morning. Internet services have also been restored.
However, factory owners expressed concerns about the long-term negative impact of the recent movement on the sector.
BGMEA Vice-President Rakibul Alam stressed the urgent need to fully activate the import-export software Asycuda by restoring internet services promptly.
"Otherwise we will face significant challenges, as all our communications rely on the internet. A substantial number of raw materials is waiting at the port for release, and export goods are awaiting loading in the depots. These processes need to commence immediately."
Chittagong EPZ General Manager M Abdus Sobhan and Karnaphuli EPZ General Manager Zillur Rahman confirmed that working conditions in the factories were back to normal.
Port operations now normal
Activities were bustling at the one-stop service centers of the country's major seaports.
The recent internet blackout caused a deadlock at these centers, hindering the redemption of products. The one-stop service center at the port became functional after the National Board of Revenue (NBR) initiated limited operations of the Asycuda World system on a special basis from Tuesday noon.
Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Secretary Md Omar Faruq, said that the one-stop service at the port has been established with Chittagong Custom House, removing barriers to product redemption. However, the lack of internet connectivity in the offices of many shipping agents has caused issues in receiving IGMs sent by email for export consignments.
He confirmed that unloading goods at outer anchorage, container, and cargo handling, and delivery at the main jetty of the port are functioning normally.
Pimple Barua from Chittagong also contributed to this report.
