The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has requested approximately Tk 100 billion from the government to reduce its reliance on expensive bank loans, according to a source. The TCB aims to secure direct allocations to procure essential goods in cash instead of taking loans against trust receipts (LTR), which currently incur interest rates between 11% and 12%, thus raising import costs. If direct funding is not provided, the TCB might face interest rates exceeding 13% due to increased bank rates.
In the current national budget, the government allocated Tk 98.60 billion, enabling the TCB to secure LTR from state-run banks for purchasing items like edible oil, sugar, and lentils for subsidized sales to 10 million low-income families. Following the commerce ministry’s advice, the TCB proposed nearly Tk 100 billion for direct funding.