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The country's commodities importers have sought extension of the loan restructuring deadline until March 31, 2026 and other policy support for facilitating their overseas trade.
The Essential Commodities Importers Association of Bangladesh (ECIAB) made the appeal recently in a letter to the Bangladesh Bank (BB) to this effect, official sources said.
The trade body in its letter said businesses concerned could not comply with the deadline that expired on December 31, 2025 due to prolonged global economic shocks, domestic natural disasters and other emerging factors ahead of national election.
It highlighted that industrial units and business houses had to face severe financial erosion due to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, slower global growth, and recent floods.
Such factors have triggered a rise in the non-performing loans (NPLs), thus weakening the foundation of the country's financial sector, the association mentioned in its report.
The ECIAB also said that the announcement of the national election schedule for February 12, 2026, has created a political environment where it is increasingly difficult for borrowers to arrange the required down payments for imports as per the BRPD Circular No. 07.
In 2024, such a facility enabled borrowers with classified loans of Tk 500 million or more, whose businesses were affected by factors like external and macroeconomic shocks, to apply for special policy support.
Besides, banks and NBFIs were also directed by the BB to assist them in applying to the central bank for policy support.
Alleging non-cooperation by commercial banks, the association claimed that some of the lenders were refusing applications or causing administrative delays.
It further said 'decentralising relief authority to commercial banks' had led to discrimination and unprofessional treatment of customers.
When contacted, ECIAB President ZM Golam Nabi said: "We believe that the BB will take necessary steps regarding the issue for the greater interest of the country." The association in its letter said if the deadline is not extended, it could lead to closure of many affected industries, putting around 200,000 jobs at risk.
Apart from extension of deadline and policy support, the ECIAB urged the BB to issue a 'clarificatory circular', form multiple committees to speed up the loan restructuring process and adopt business-friendly policies for affected enterprises.
The association also suggested a timely intervention from the central bank to safeguard the country's import-export activities and maintain overall financial stability.
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