Bangladesh Bank has extended the tenure of its Export Facilitation Pre-finance Fund until December 31, 2030, giving exporters a longer window to access support at a time when global trade remains uncertain and export industries need steady financing. The central bank said the Tk 10,000 crore revolving fund, created from its own resources, will continue to help export-oriented businesses maintain production and protect foreign currency earnings. The move is especially important for the ready-made garment sector, which remains a major driver of export income, but the support is also meant for other export-focused industries that are facing pressure from global economic volatility. Under the new arrangement, loans will be handed out through participating commercial banks on a first-come, first-served basis, which means firms that are ready with their paperwork and bank links may be able to get funding more quickly. To keep the support fair, the central bank has also set a limit of Tk 200 crore per company or industrial group at any one time, so that the fund does not go too heavily to only a few large borrowers. Before any scheduled bank can offer these loans, it must sign a participation agreement with Bangladesh Bank’s Banking Regulation and Policy Department-1, which adds an official layer of control to the process. The central bank has also added reporting rules to improve transparency and make sure the money is tracked properly. Participating banks will need to send quarterly reports on how much of the fund has been distributed and recovered, and they must submit those reports within 15 days after each quarter ends in April, July, October, and January. The extension signals that the central bank wants the fund to remain active as a working tool for exporters rather than a short-term measure. For businesses, the decision may help reduce cash pressure, support raw material purchases, and keep factories moving even when international demand or shipping conditions become difficult. For the wider economy, a steadier flow of export finance can help protect jobs, support production, and keep foreign exchange earnings from slowing down. The fund’s longer life also shows that the central bank sees export support as a continuing priority, not a one-time policy response, and that it wants the sector to have a more stable financial base as it faces the next phase of global competition.
