Agrani Bank disburses 14% loans under stimulus package
From the apportioned Tk124-crore specialised incentive package for the agricultural sector, nearly Tk18 crore has been disbursed among 2,106 farmers
Agrani Bank has so far implemented over 14% of the loan target set for it under the government-declared stimulus packages for the recovery of the Covid-hit economy.
As of August last, the state-owned bank disbursed Tk360 crore, out of its target of Tk2,500 crore, among 17,306 enterprises and individuals during the pandemic, according to a bank statement.
At present, the bank is working to disburse a further Tk862 crore of the sanctioned loans soon.
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It has already achieved 100% loan target by lending more than Tk135 crore to 106 industries to help them pay wages to export-oriented factory workers affected by the virus-induced crisis.
As per the statement, 14,761 farmers in the crop or grain cultivation sector have received over Tk61 crore from Agrani Bank out of its allotted Tk440 crore.
From the apportioned Tk124-crore specialised incentive package for the agricultural sector, nearly Tk18 crore has been disbursed among 2,106 farmers.
Four large industries have got almost Tk51 crore in the form of working capital support while another 25 more are awaiting over Tk186 crore in the same category.
In the cottage, small and medium enterprises (CSME) sector, nearly Tk26 crore has been distributed among 48 entrepreneurs. In addition, the bank will disburse over Tk327 crore among 223 more enterprises soon.
From the amount for affected low-income professionals, farmers and marginal businessmen, Tk47 crore is going to be disbursed against 5 applications while the bank has already lent about Tk67 crore in favour of 283 back-to-back letters of credit.
Mohammad Shams-Ul Islam, managing director and chief executive officer of Agrani Bank, said the country's economy has fallen in a crisis because of Covid. The state of the crisis is synonymous with the frail world economy.
In these circumstances, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has not only taken steps to lift the country from the crisis but also given incentive packages to people in advance to revive the economy, he also said.
"If we can disburse the packages declared for industry, agriculture and CSME, we are certain that the economy of the country will turn around in the shortest amount of time. We are working tirelessly to implement 100% of the target set by the Bangladesh Bank."
Agrani Bank has already received a note of satisfaction from the central bank in this regard, the top official of the bank added.
