Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H Mansoor said that no bank should hold dollars and do market manipulation. If a bank delays in making import payments, the central bank can ban commercial banks from opening import LCs.
Central Bank Spokesperson Hosne Ara Shikha told reporters that the banks were told this in a meeting held with the Managing Directors (MD) of various banks on Monday (November 11).
Hosne Ara Shikha said that the banks have said that the foreign market will be more stable till January. is still stable. The governor also directed the banks to complete timely payment of the import LCs opened so far.
The spokesperson also said that exchange rate and forex market were discussed in the meeting. Banks said that there is no major challenge yet, but there is pressure of overdue payments.
He said, when they met with the MD positions of various banks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the World Bank, they said that in some cases the confirming banks may be making international payments in advance. But when the confirming bank wants to replenish the payment after completion of LC, they are not getting it on time. The governor took it very seriously and said that the central bank may consider administrative measures against banks that are involved in such activities.
MDs of 17 banks including Sonali, Rupali, Agrani, Janata, BRAC, City, Dhaka, Dutch-Bangla, Eastern, Pubali participated in the meeting.
