B Mirror Report: Banks remain open on a limited scale in the country’s industrial zones today (March 19) to facilitate salary and allowance payments for workers and officials in the readymade garment sector, as well as to support export bill transactions ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.

According to directives from Bangladesh Bank, selected branches in garment-dense areas are providing these special banking services today.

As per a central bank notification, banking hours today (Thursday) are set from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, while customer transactions will be conducted from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

A break has been scheduled from 1:15 pm to 1:30 pm for Zuhr prayers. Although the official Eid holiday began on March 18, this special arrangement has been made to meet urgent needs of the garment sector.

Several banks have kept specific branches open today. Prime Bank is operating its Agrabad, Narayanganj, Ganakbari, and Tongi branches. Islami Bank Bangladesh has kept its Agrabad Corporate Branch, Dhaka Head Office Complex, Local Office, and Narayanganj branch open.

BRAC Bank is providing services through its Motijheel, Tongi, Ganakbari, Joydevpur, CDA Avenue, Rokeya Sarani, Rangpur, Dhanmondi-27, Bara Bazar, Gulshan North Avenue, Jessore, and Siddhirganj branches. City Bank has opened branches in North Bengal and Rangpur, along with those in Pabna and Bogura. NCC Bank is operating key branches including Motijheel, Savar, Joydevpur, and Baipail.

In addition, Shahjalal Islami Bank has opened its foreign exchange branch, while Premier Bank is operating selected branches in Motijheel, Karwan Bazar, and Gulshan. Mutual Trust Bank is also providing services in several industrial-area branches including Chandra, BSCIC, and Jubilee Road.

Bangladesh Bank has stated that officials and employees working on holidays will receive special allowances as per regulations. The special banking arrangement has been introduced under an executive order to ensure smooth financial transactions in the garment sector and facilitate uninterrupted Eid celebrations.