Loan disbursement in agro-based industries under the central bank's refinance scheme rose three-fold in 2013 from a year ago.

The scheme gave out Tk 197 crore in loans from the agro-based refinance scheme last year, compared to Tk 65 crore in 2012.

Loan distribution increased due to Bangladesh Bank's direct monitoring and increase in the size of the available fund, a central bank official said.

The BB increased the loan scheme—formed in 2003 with Tk 100 crore—to Tk 400 crore last year.

Borrowers except in Dhaka city, divisional cities, and Narayanganj city can access loans under the scheme.

The scheme covers 37 sectors including cold stores, dairy, jute products, tea processing and flower preservation. The maximum applicable rate of interest is 10 percent.

Till date, Tk 403 crore loans have been disbursed from the scheme, of which Tk 229 were outstanding as of December 2013, the BB official said.