Bangladesh Bank has instructed banks near mango markets in the greater Rajshahi region to stay open on Saturdays, a weekly holiday, to ensure smooth financial transactions for traders during the current mango season.

The instruction was given in a letter signed by Md Abdul Mannan, director of Bangladesh Bank's SDAD department, on the night of Thursday, 25 June. The letter was sent to the managing directors (MDs) and chief executive officers (CEOs) of all scheduled banks in the country.

Under the instruction, bank branches and sub-branches will open on a limited scale on Saturdays until 31 July.

The facility covers customers of bank branches near permanent and temporary mango markets in Shibganj, Sadar, Gomostapur and Bholahat upazilas of Chapainawabganj district; Sapahar, Porsha and Niamatpur upazilas of Naogaon district; and various locations in Rajshahi and Natore districts.

Bangladesh Bank said the decision was taken to ensure an adequate supply of cash for traders during the mango season, make it easier to deposit money and reduce the risks of holding cash. The banks concerned have also been told to ensure the necessary security while operating on a limited scale on holidays.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.