DHAKA, Sept 1, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today reiterated her government’s determination to bring down the bank loan interest rate to a single-digit number for making investment easier alongside expanding trade and business further in the country.
“The investors have to take bank loan at high interest rates. We’ve already given directives for reducing it to single digit. But some banks followed our instructions and some didn’t,” she said.
The premier was addressing as the chief guest the National Export Trophy for 2016-17 fiscal year distribution function at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre here this afternoon.
The Commerce Ministry and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) jointly organised the function chaired by Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi.
The prime minister said discussion is going on the issue (bank loan interest) and the government is giving necessary facilities to the banks in this regard.
“We want to cut down the interest rate to a single digit one and we’ve already taken proper steps to make investment easier,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that it is natural for one to become loan defaulter by taking it at high interest. “Industries are not set up immediately after taking loan,” she said.
The prime minister said besides there were many steps to be crossed in the past for making investment. “We’ve reduced those steps so that the people can invest more easily,” she said.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Commerce Ministry Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as the special guest, while FBCCI President Sheikh Fazley Fahim and Commerce Ministry’s Senior Secretary Mafizul Islam also spoke.
EPB Vice-Chairman Fatima Yasmin delivered the welcome address.
At the function, a documentary on ‘Export of Bangladesh’ was screened.
Ministers, PM’s advisers, parliament members, business leaders, high civil and military officials were present.
The prime minister handed over 66 trophies – 29 gold, 21 silver and 16 bronze – in 28 categories to 66 companies for their outstanding performance in the export sector.
Zaber and Zobaer Fabrics was awarded a gold medal as the highest exporting company in fiscal 2016-17.