Commercial Banks of the country have agreed to charge maximum 12 per cent for importing food grains.
Currently the charge is 13-14 per cent. The banks took the decision Wednesday morning following a request by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The chairmen of the banks, who are members of Bangladesh Association of Banks BAB) called on the Prime Minister at her office.
PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told reporters that the Prime Minister underscored the need for securing sufficient food stock in the country so that the people do not face any crisis.
She put emphasis on relaxing interest rate on the loan of food grains import for building necessary stock through import.
The chairmen of the banks instantly agreed to reduce the interest rate for short-term loan on food grains import. The banks would provide loans for three to four months period.
BAB president Nazrul Islam Mazumder, Mercantile Bank Chairman Abdul Jalil and Salman F Rahman, among others, were present.            

News: the independent/ Bangladesh/ Mar-03-2011