Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Thursday launched two new credit schemes to help students and women buy computers.

Governor Dr Atiur Rahman inaugurated the schemes at a programme at the central bank headquarters in the capital city.

Under the refinancing credit schemes named “Student Power” and She Power”, students and women would get cheaper loan from banks to buy laptops and desktop computers. But the purchasing should be done online.

The loan, with as low as 10 per cent interest, should be repayable in installments within two years after the purchase. The borrower students and women will require arranging 20 per cent of the total price of the computer as down payment.

Trust Bank will channelize necessary funds for the credit programmes when the Dell Bangladesh will supply the laptops and desktop computers. An e-marketing company - Amar Desh, Amar Gram (my country, my village) will provide the online platform for the purchase (www.amardeshamargram.com).

Addressing the occasion, Dr Atiur said this kind of initiative with participation from other banks and institutions would help students and women use information technology and would eventually help increase income from outsourcing.

BB’s executive director Dasgupta Asim Kumar, Trust Bank managing director Ishtiaque Ahmed Chowdhury and Dell Bangladesh country manager Sonia Bashir Kabir attended the programme, presided over by general manager of BB’s SME and Special Programme Department Md. Masum Patwary.