Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) signed an agreement with Bangladesh Bank to utilize Tk 2.0 crore fund for giving the capital’s slum-dwellers loan to initiate income generation venture after returning to their respective villages.

BB’s executive director M Mahfuzur Rahman and BKB’s managing director Abdus Salam signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides. The central bank will give BKB Tk 2.0 crore for its “Ghore Fera Kormo Suchi” (go back home project), rteports BSS.

BB Governor Dr Atiur Rahman and top officials of BB and BKB were present at the loan signing function.

In his brief speech, BB Governor Dr Atiur Rahman said the central bank is giving Tk 2.0 crore to this programme. If necessary, it will increase its financing in future, he added.

BB’s executive director M Mahfuzur Rahman said BB is offering the fund to take back the urban poor to their homes under the “Ghore Fera Kormo Suchi” of the government.

He said the central bank is providing BKB the money from its housing fund at 2.0 percent rate of interest when the borrowers from BKB would pay only 6.0 percent annually.

Under the programme, the eligible borrowers can get Taka 20-40 thousand loan for income generating projects besides Tk 50,000 for housing. Introduced in 2010, the government so far allocated Tk 10 crore for the project to help slum-dwellers go back home and employ themselves.