R Mahmud :
Loan disbursement for building agro-based industries in rural areas increased remarkably under the re-finance-scheme of Bangladesh Bank during the last calendar year.
Banks and financial institutions disbursed a total of Tk 404 crore in 10 years from 2003 to December 2013 under this scheme. Of which Tk197 crore was disbursed in the last fiscal year.
The banks disbursed this amount among 1809 entrepreneurs so far, says a report issued by the SME department of Bangladesh Bank.
Agro-based industrial investment increased due to close monitoring by the central bank and increase of the fund, sources in the Bangladesh Bank said.
The Bangladesh Bank had taken the refinance-scheme to inspire setting up of agro-based industries in rural areas outside Dhaka, other divisional cities and Narayangonj city corporation.
At least 26 banks and 17 non-bank financial institutions are disbursing this loan to entrepreneurs under a memorandum with the central bank.
These banks and financial institutes are distributing loans under the scheme only at 10 percent interests, which they get against 5 percent interest from the central bank.
The entrepreneurs can get the loan to set up small agro-based industries under 37 sectors including cold storages, dairy firms, jute industries, tea processing plants, flowers storages and exports and particle board manufacturing. The scheme started with Tk 150 crore which now has reached at Tk 400 crore.
Masum Patwary, General Manager of SME and Special Programs Department of Bangladesh Bank told journalists that the banks and financial institutes taking loans under this scheme and disbursing only in rural areas.
