RAJSHAHI: Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB) has been playing a vital role towards bolstering the agro-based economy through financial investment in the country’s northwest region.

The specialised state-owned commercial bank has been providing loans to the grassroots farmers to supplement the government efforts of making the country self-reliant in food production, reports BSS.

Through its 383 branches at present, RAKUB has been operating its activities as the largest development partner in all the 16 northwest districts of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions targeting the agricultural sector and all its sub-sectors.

As the largest development partner in agriculture as well as agro-based industrial sector of northwest Bangladesh, currently, the bank has adopted the effective work plan which is being implemented at the grassroots-level to attain all the targets within the stipulated time.

RAKUB has not only developed the agricultural sector in the country’s northwest region but also played a vital role towards its industrialisation.

RAKUB Managing Director Niranjan Chandra Debnath and Directors GSM Zafarullah, Habibur Rahman, Shamsul Wadud, Abdur Rouf and Aftab Hossain joined the meeting held at RAKUB headquarters boardroom.

Niranjan Chandra Debnath told the meeting that their bank has attained operational profit worth Taka 44.8 crore in the last 2021-2022 financial year overcoming the loss of Taka 3.10 crore incurred in the previous 2020-2021 fiscal year.

Niranjan Debnath said they disbursed agricultural loans of around Taka 1,954.17 crore aimed at increasing crop production and boosting rural economy during the first six months of the current fiscal year.

Target has also been set to recover loans of Taka 3,526 crore, including classified loans with Taka 500 crore, and raise deposit collection to Taka 3000 crore.

The bank is bringing all existing agricultural potential sectors and sub-sectors under qualitative and quantitative investments to make the region’s agro-based economy more vibrant.