Bangladesh Bank has added three new products, including garment sector ones, to its refinance scheme of low-interest loans.

The banking regulator included solar water-pumps, green industry and workplace safety projects of the apparel industry in the scheme.

The highest loan limit for solar water-pumps is Tk 3 core, Tk 20 crore for green industry and Tk 1 crore has been earmarked for garment factories, the central bank said in a notice yesterday.

Borrowers will have to pay a 9 percent interest rate for green industry and garment factories and 11 percent for solar irrigation pumps. The repayment period is six years, five years and 10 years respectively, with a nine-month grace period.

Earlier in May, BB included 26 new products to its revolving refinance scheme for solar energy, biogas and effluent treatment plants.

The central bank set up a Tk 200 crore revolving fund in 2009 for banks and financial institutions to disburse as low interest loans for solar energy, biogas and effluent treatment plants.

The central bank provides funds to banks and financial institutions at 5 percent interest, so they can provide loans on easy terms.