All scheduled banks across Bangladesh will remain closed for three consecutive days from October 20 to 22 for the upcoming Durga Puja festival, Bangladesh Bank has announced.
However, to keep import and export activities running, the central bank has instructed bank branches and booths located in seaport, land port and airport areas to provide limited services during the holidays.
A circular, numbered 15, was issued on Sunday, October 11, by Bangladesh Bank’s Supervisory Data Management and Analytics Department (SDAD).
The circular said the decision followed a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on October 7. Accordingly, banks will remain closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, October 20, 21 and 22. Banks will, however, operate as usual on Saturday, October 17.
The circular further stated that bank branches and booths in seaport, land port and airport areas must provide limited import-export services during the public holidays from October 20 to 22, as well as the regular weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24.
Banks have been instructed to make the necessary arrangements in consultation with local administrations and the relevant port or customs authorities.
Bangladesh Bank issued the directive in the public interest under the authority granted by Section 45 of the Bank Company Act, 1991.
