Banks to remain open on May 21

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has asked banks for taking appropriate measures to keep open their branches or sub-branches relating to the hajj activities on May 21 (Saturday) in order to settle the financial transactions of Pilgrims who want to perform the holy Hajj in Saudi Arabia this year.

The central bank issued the instruction to keep open the banks on this weekly holiday in the public interest under section 45 of the Banking Companies Act, 1991, said a BB circular issued Tuesday.

The registration process for this year’s Hajj will start from May 16, the Ministry of Religious Affairs said in an earlier notice on May 11. Pilgrims will have to complete the registration process by May 18, which is also the payment deadline.