IslamicFinance.de

The central bank has extended ICB Islamic Bank's timeline by three and half years to repay the money it owes to its clients. According to central bank's figures, former Oriental Bank's financial liabilities towards it depositors stand at Tk 7.5 billion. The bank was rechristened ‘ICB Islamic Bank’ in 2007 and a scheme was initiated to pay back the money to its depositors within six and half years. In a circular issued on Sunday, Bangladesh Bank extended the tenure of the scheme by 42 months on a request from the ICB Islamic Bank.

A Chittagong court has sent Shahjalal Islami Bank’s Director Mohammed Solaiman to seven-day police remand in a case over misappropriation of bank money. Shahjalal Islami Bank authorities had filed the case against Solaiman with the Kotwali Police Station in Chittagong on Apr 13, alleging misappropriation of Tk 1.49 billion. Later, the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) recorded the case. ACC officials arrested him on Jun 25 in a raid on Akram Tower at Bijoy Nagar in Dhaka. After being detained following an ACC probe, Solaiman claimed he had been victimised by AK Azad, the present back chairman.

The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) will set up its country office in Dhaka, Bangladesh soon, according to its President Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al-Madani. Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dipu Moni, expressed satisfaction at the progress made with the Member Country Partnership Strategy (MCPS) for 2013-16 covering a number of important infrastructural, agricultural and human development projects. She also hoped that IDB would support several projects in the country. The IDB President assured of growing cooperation in power generation, including rural electrification and renewable energy use. He also shared his optimism about Bangladesh’s development pursuits to become a middle income country by 2021.

Banks in the United Kingdom and the United States are not accepting transactions made through the Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited after allegations surfaced about its alleged funding of militant groups across the globe. The matter came to light when a team of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) met the central bank Governor. According to BGMEA, banks in the United Kingdom and the United States are not accepting export bills and documents through the Islami Bank Bangladesh. Apparel sector’s apex body has requested Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman to resolve the issue, saying many of its members were facing troubles. The bank posted a clarification on its website and denied the charges.