Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – The central bank of Bangladesh has relaxed its rules allowing entire unused annual travel quota in foreign exchange by resident Bangladesh nationals proceeding abroad for job or migration.

Under the new provisions, resident Bangladesh nationals will be able to use 100 percent of the unused annual travel quota instead of earlier 50 percent   for valid job or migration abroad.

“The central bank has relaxed the guidelines for foreign exchange transactions aiming to benefit intending migrants as well as persons, who are proceeding abroad for job,” a senior official of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) said.

Earlier, the release of foreign exchange did not exceed the half of the un-used balance of the annual travel quota entitlement for the nationals proceeding abroad against one-way ticket for valid job or migrating abroad in the calendar year.

The authorized dealer banks, officially known as ADs, may release foreign exchange up to US$ 1500 or an equivalent per person during a calendar year to Bangladesh nationals proceeding by air or overland to destinations in SAARC member-countries and Myanmar.

Also for visits of Bangladesh nationals to destinations in countries other than those mentioned above, up to US$ 5000 per person may be issued during a calendar year, the BB officials added.

BBN/SI/AD-27Nov10-12:05 pm (BST)