Banks and Stock Markets to Remain Closed for Five Consecutive Days During Durga Puja, Open on October 17

Banks and stock markets across Bangladesh will remain closed for five consecutive days from October 20 to 24 on the occasion of Durga Puja. The closure includes three days of public holidays from October 20 to 22, followed by the regular weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24.

However, as part of the holiday adjustments, banks across the country will remain open on Saturday, October 17, and operate as on a normal working day.

Bangladesh Bank issued a circular in this regard on Sunday (October 11), outlining the arrangements for banking operations during the festive period.

According to the circular, regular banking activities will remain suspended on October 20, 21 and 22 for Durga Puja. With the two-day weekly holiday immediately following, normal banking services will remain closed until October 24.

In line with the banking holidays, trading will also remain suspended at the country's two stock exchanges, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), throughout the five-day period.

However, special arrangements have been made to ensure that import and export activities continue during the extended holiday.

Bank branches and booths located in seaports, land ports and airport areas will provide essential banking services on a limited scale to facilitate international trade operations.

Bangladesh Bank has instructed the banks concerned to coordinate with local administrations, port authorities and customs officials to make the necessary arrangements.

The measures are intended to prevent disruptions to import and export activities during the holiday period.

Earlier, on October 7, the Ministry of Public Administration announced a three-day public holiday from October 20 to 22 to mark Durga Puja.

As part of the same decision, the ministry announced that government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous and private offices would remain open on Saturday, October 17.

Following that decision, Bangladesh Bank also directed banks to remain open on October 17, with banking activities to be conducted as on a regular working day.

Consequently, while regular banking operations and stock market trading will remain suspended for five consecutive days, essential banking services at ports and airports will continue on a limited scale to support the country's import and export activities.