To facilitate the payment of salaries, bonuses, and other allowances for workers, employees, and officials in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, as well as to assist with export bill transactions, scheduled bank branches in key industrial areas will remain open on a limited scale today (Saturday, March 29).

According to a notification from the Department of Offsite Supervision (DOS) of Bangladesh Bank, all scheduled bank branches and sub-branches will remain closed from March 30 to April 2 due to government-declared holidays. Additionally, April 3 (Thursday) has been designated as a public holiday by executive order in observance of Eid-ul-Fitr.

However, in preparation for Eid, certain branches of scheduled banks located in Dhaka, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Valuka, Narayanganj, and Chattogram, which are directly linked to the RMG sector, will remain open on March 29. Banks have been instructed to ensure adequate security while operating these branches.

Banking services will be available from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with transaction hours running from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. There will be a break for Zuhr prayers from 1:15 PM to 1:30 PM. Employees working on this holiday will receive allowances as per regulations.

Furthermore, in accordance with the DOS Circular Letter No. 24 issued on August 5, 2019, bank branches, sub-branches, and booths located in seaports, land ports, and airports will remain operational 24/7 from March 28 to April 5 (except on Eid day) to support import-export activities. The concerned banks, in consultation with local authorities and customs officials, have been authorized to take necessary measures to facilitate these operations.

This directive has been issued under Section 45 of the Bank Companies Act, 1991, in the public interest. Bangladesh Bank has officially communicated this instruction to the Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of all scheduled banks operating in the country.