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Banks take special measures to keep branches open |
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December 22, 2000
Dhaka-- (UNB)- In view of a staggering vacation, banks have taken special measures to keep some of their branches in Dhaka and Chittagong cities open to help international trade transactions run uninterrupted. A number of banks responded to Bangladesh Bank’s call for keeping their foreign exchange-dealing branches open on their convenient days during the mega-vacation, beginning today with the weekend. Following exporters’ concern, the government had earlier ordered banks to open on December 30, the day before the yearend bank holiday, December 31, a special holiday for bankers. December 26 is the only working day that breaks--albeit partly--the series of 8-day vacation that includes weekend, Shab-e-Qadr, Christmas and three-day official holiday for Eid. Businesspeople voiced their concerns that closure of banks for eight days between December 22 and 31 would disrupt domestic economic activities as well as international trade, virtually snapping the country from the external fast-moving business world. The central bank, conceiving the concerns, advised the banks to keep some of their branches, mainly those dealing with import and export trade, to keep the economy going during the feasts and festivities. Till date, a total of 22 banks have informed the central bank of their decision to keep forex-dealing branches open for at least two more holidays. The banks include four state-run ones, five foreign banks and one specialised. Private banks so far responding to the central bank are Prime, National, Dhaka, Pubali, UCBL, IFIC, Exim, Al baraka, Arab Bangladesh, Mutual Trust, Al Arafa and City. An official of the central bank’s concerned department said they expect more banks to come up with positive response. Foreign-exchange branches of Sonali, Janata and Agrani banks will open from 10 am to 1pm on December 23 (Saturday), 1pm-3:30pm December 24 and 2:30pm-5pm on the 29th. Standard Chartered Grindlays will do business 10 am-1pm on the 23rd and the State Bank of India from 10am-12 noon on December 24. All the banks have arranged their opening hours at their convenience. |