The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB,Dhaka

Bangladesh Bank Wednesday instructed a few commercial banks to devise suitable transaction mechanisms for Beximco and Bashundhara Groups to facilitate their businesses in absence of the detained owners.

The instruction was given amid requests that the two large business conglomerates were facing enormous difficulties in running their day-to-day business affairs, a senior central bank official told UNB. Sources said the groups have formed interim managing commitees to run the business affairs as the owners were detained under the government’s anti-corruption drive on heavy corruption charges. But, they added, the commitees have no authority to sign the bank documents, particularly the cheques, causing immense sufferings to the businesses.

“We’ve instructed 5-6 banks to do as much as possible for the business groups to help continue their business affairs,” Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Saleh Uddin Ahmed told reporters. Replying to a question, he said even more legal complexities might emerge to operate the banking activities of the business groups, which could be sorted out later. “We’ll sit together with the problems for suitable solutions.”

Earlier, Bangladesh Bank had issued a circular asking banks to look into the banking problems the business houses were facing due to the absence of their owners.

Meanwhile, Finance Advisor Dr Mirza Azizul Islam today told reporters that an individual and a business organisation is not similar entity.

“Our drive is against corrupt individuals… we’ve no restriction against any organisation,” he said, replying to a question.