Banks and stock markets across Bangladesh will remain closed for five consecutive days from Tuesday for Durga Puja and the weekly holidays.
Banking services and share trading will resume after the extended break, which includes three days of Durga Puja holidays from October 20 to 22, followed by the weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24.
According to Bangladesh Bank directives, the government holidays for Durga Puja run from October 20 to 22. As October 23 and 24 fall on Friday and Saturday, respectively, regular banking operations will remain suspended for five days.
To ensure uninterrupted banking services ahead of the extended break, banks remained open on Saturday, October 17, operating as on a regular working day.
Although regular banking services will remain suspended during the holidays, branches and booths in seaports, land ports and airport areas will provide limited services to facilitate import and export activities.
Under the central bank’s instructions, the banks concerned must arrange to continue essential import-export transactions in port and customs areas. They have also been asked to coordinate with local administrations and port and customs authorities to ensure the necessary arrangements.
Trading on the country’s two stock exchanges will also remain suspended during the period, as stock market transactions are closely linked to banking operations.