Bangladesh Bank (BB) has simplified rules allowing industrial importers to bring in capital goods on usance terms of up to three years without needing prior clearance from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
Earlier, the provision was applied solely to the import of capital machinery. With the revised directive, importers are now permitted to bring in both capital machinery and capital goods under the same three‑year usance arrangement, a senior central bank official told The Business Standard.
On Wednesday, the central bank issued the circular based on the decision of the 186th meeting of BIDA’s Scrutiny Committee on Foreign Loan or Supplier’s Credit, chaired by the governor of Bangladesh Bank.
The initiative is intended to make import financing more accessible for industries that need long-term capital goods.
According to the senior official, the decision was taken by BIDA, and Bangladesh Bank has already conveyed the guidelines to commercial banks.
He noted that businesses typically require various long-term assets, such as air conditioners and other equipment, when starting operations, and the revised policy will now provide support for these requirements.
The directive also noted that the industry-friendly measure is introduced to implement the decision of BIDA’s foreign debt committee.
Industry experts affirmed that the decision eliminates procedural barriers and will allow businesses to import capital goods—such as ships and other industrial equipment—on usance terms of up to three years.
Meanwhile, business leaders stated that the change will enable manufacturers to plan capacity expansion more effectively, especially in sectors such as shipbuilding, steel, energy, and export-oriented manufacturing.
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