In a strategic move to stabilise the country’s export-oriented industries amid global and domestic economic turbulence, Bangladesh Bank has announced the introduction of a special credit facility to ensure timely payment of wages to workers and staff. The directive was outlined in a circular issued by the central bank on Tuesday, providing detailed guidance for implementation.
The circular, signed by Md. Bayezid Sarkar, Director of the Banking Regulation and Policy Department (BRPD), states that the instruction is issued under the authority of Section 45 of the Bank Companies Act, 1991. Bangladesh Bank highlighted that recent declines in global demand, delays in purchase orders, rising energy and raw material costs, and domestic liquidity constraints have disrupted production activities in export-oriented enterprises. This disruption has, in turn, affected the regular payment of salaries and allowances to employees.
Entrepreneurs in the ready-made garments, knitwear, leather, and light engineering sectors have reported significant working capital shortages. Business associations have noted that, despite increasing price competition in international markets, production costs remain high, creating pressure on cash flows. Delays in salary payments under these conditions could trigger social unrest and hamper ongoing production operations.
To mitigate this risk, the central bank has authorised export-oriented companies in operation to access a special short-term credit facility beyond their normal working capital limits. The objective is to enable firms to pay February 2026 salaries on schedule. However, the loan amount cannot exceed the company’s average wage disbursement over the previous three months.
Key Terms of the Special Wage Loan Facility
| Feature | Criteria / Condition |
|---|---|
| Eligible Enterprises | Minimum 80% of total production exported |
| Operational Requirement | Salary payments completed for November 2025 – January 2026 |
| Loan Ceiling | Maximum equal to the average wage paid in the past three months |
| Interest Rate | Market-based prevailing rate |
| Certification | Endorsement from relevant trade associations (e.g., BGMEA, BKMEA) |
The circular further stipulates that, for a company to be considered both export-oriented and operational, it must obtain certification from the respective trade body. Only firms fulfilling both conditions—exporting at least 80% of production and completing salary payments within the stipulated period—are eligible for the special loan facility.
Policy makers emphasise that the initiative is designed not merely to secure workers’ wages, but also to maintain production continuity and stabilise export earnings. Given that the export sector is a major source of foreign exchange for Bangladesh, any disruption could negatively impact the broader economy. Experts have described the central bank’s move as a timely intervention to safeguard economic stability and support the resilience of key industrial sectors.