http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=91779
Tk 200cr BB fund for solar power, biogas, effluent treatment
Rejaul Karim Byron
Bangladesh Bank (BB) has set up a Tk 200 crore revolving fund for banks and financial institutions to give loans at low interest in solar energy, biogas and effluent treatment sectors.
The central bank board of directors at a meeting on Sunday approved the fund.
The BB would soon prepare a scheme in this regard and send guidelines to banks and financial institutions for providing the loans.
A high official of the central bank said the bank would refinance different financial institutions and banks from this fund. This would help face power and gas deficiency by using environment-friendly technology, and would also help maintain public health.
The BB would provide funds to banks and financial institutions at five percent interest (bank rate) so that they can provide loans on soft terms. In giving loans to customers, banks would charge below 10 per cent interest, said the official.
A top official of the central bank noted that lack of institutional financing for renewable energy sectors like solar energy and biogas is impeding effective growth and use of environment-friendly technology in these sectors.
They would prefer to see investment in solar panels particularly in char areas and remote areas still without power supply, he said.
