The central bank has instructed commercial banks to extend special term loans to export-oriented industries to ensure timely payment of workers’ wages for February 2026.
In a circular issued on Tuesday, Bangladesh Bank said the move was taken in response to ongoing global and domestic economic pressures affecting liquidity and production in the export sector.
According to the Banking Regulation and Policy Department (BRPD), banks may provide additional term loans to active export-oriented units beyond their existing working capital limits. The loan amount, however, cannot exceed the average wages and allowances paid by the factory over the past three months.
The loans will be offered at prevailing market-based interest rates without any extra fees or commissions. Borrowers must repay the funds in equal monthly or quarterly installments within one year, including a three-month grace period.
The central bank defined export-oriented industries as those that export at least 80 percent of their total production. To qualify as active, factories must have regularly paid workers’ salaries from November 2025 to January 2026.
Eligibility must be certified by trade bodies such as the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association or the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
To ensure transparency, the circular mandates that loan funds be transferred directly to workers’ bank or Mobile Financial Service accounts, with no cash disbursement through factory management.
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