Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The central bank of Bangladesh has directed all scheduled banks to keep their branches open Friday, a public holiday, with ensuring necessary security, officials said.

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) issued a circular in this connection on Wednesday and asked the commercial banks to keep open all their braches on the day to operate cash and clearing activities.
 
The BB’s directive came as normal banking and business activities have seriously been disrupted in the recent months due to continued blockades and shutdowns, enforced by the opposition parties over formation of the poll-time government.

BBN/SSR/AD-19Dec13-10:49 am (BST)