Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The central bank has announced a new ‘agricultural and rural credit policy and program’ for the current fiscal year (FY) 2012-13, setting a target of higher credit disbursement for banks than that of the previous fiscal.
The loan disbursement target is BDT 141.30 billion, 2.39 percent higher than the previous year and the banks have been directed to give priority to improvised and neglected areas while disbursing loans. 
Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Dr Atiur Rahman formally announced the policy at a bankers’ meeting at Jahingir Alam Conference Hall in its headquarters in the capital Dhaka on Tuesday.
Senior officials of the central bank, managing directors and chief executive officers of banks were present.  
After the marathon meeting, BB deputy governor SK Sur Chowdhury briefed journalists. Chairman of the Association of Bankers Bangladesh (ABB) Nurul Amin was also present.
The central bank had set a target for local and foreign banks of disbursing BDT 138 billion in agriculture loan for the last fiscal year. The target was 9.4 percent higher than the fiscal year 2000-2010.
 
BBN/SSR/AD-25July12-10:37 am (BST)