Bankers took facilities, did not reduce interest rate: Tipu

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Thursday said the bankers did not reduce interest rate yet despite the government has given them various facilities to bring down the lending rate to single digit.

He said, "Considering businesses' difficulties to continue business taking loan at rate 12 to 14 percent, Prime Minister asked to reduce bank interest rate to single digit.

"They (bankers) were provided various privileges, and they enjoyed these but did not bring down the rate to single digit despite a year elapsed."  

He said the Finance Minister also urged the bankers several times regarding this but till today no private bank reduced the lending rate to single digit. 

The Commerce Minister made the remarks at the inaugaration ceremony of three-day-long Ceramic Expo Bangladesh, 2019 in city.

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) president Sheikh Fazle Fahim and Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Sirajul Islam Molla, among others, were present at the programme.

At the ceremony, Minister Tipu also expressed his concerned that if the bank interest rate is not brought down to single digit, it would be impossible for businesses to continue their business.