Deferred Payment Facility for Imports of 10 Commodities Ahead of Ramadan by Bangladesh Bank
Bangladesh Bank has allowed imports of 10 essential commodities on deferred payment terms for up to 90 days to ensure an adequate supply of essential food items during the holy month of Ramadan and keep market prices at a tolerable level.
On Wednesday (November 11), the central bank’s Foreign Exchange Policy Department-1 issued a circular in this regard.
Under the facility, traders will be able to import rice, wheat (flour), onions, pulses, edible oil, sugar, chickpeas, peas, spices and dates. They will be allowed to import these commodities through suppliers’ credit or buyers’ credit.
Bangladesh Bank spokesperson and Executive Director Arif Hossain Khan said the initiative had been taken to keep the prices of commodities that see the highest demand during Ramadan within the purchasing capacity of ordinary people.
He said banks had been allowed to facilitate imports under buyers’ credit or suppliers’ credit for up to 90 days so that importers could take the necessary steps in advance. This means importers will be able to pay for the imported goods within 90 days.
“We do not want people to face additional pressure from rising commodity prices during Ramadan. This circular has primarily been issued to ensure that ordinary people can buy essential commodities at relatively affordable prices. If importers take initiatives from now on, it will be possible to maintain a normal supply of goods in the market,” he said.
Arif Hossain Khan further said prices rise when there is a gap between demand and supply. Therefore, the import facility has been introduced ahead of Ramadan so that interested importers can take the necessary steps in time. If they import sufficient quantities of these commodities, there will be no shortage in the market, helping reduce pressure on prices.
The Bangladesh Bank circular stated that the facility had been introduced for commercial imports to ensure a normal supply of essential food items during the holy month of Ramadan and keep their prices at a tolerable level. Under the facility, importers will not have to pay the full price immediately upon importing the goods and will be allowed up to 90 days to make payment.
It also said that under Paragraph 1(1) of Part D of FE Policy Department-1 Circular No. 30, issued on August 13, 2026, imports of certain specified commodities had previously been allowed on deferred payment terms. The latest decision has extended the facility to important food commodities ahead of Ramadan.
Bangladesh Bank said all other instructions in the previous circular would remain unchanged. It also instructed authorised dealer banks to inform their respective clients about the new guidelines.
