BB raises private travel entitlement to $12,000

The central bank has relaxed private travel entitlement regulations, enhancing the amount to US$ 12,000 from $ 7,000, to facilitate tourism.  

Under the relaxations, the authorised dealer banks, officially known as ADs, can release foreign exchange up to $ 5,000 or equivalent against per person from $ 2,000 during a calendar year to Bangladeshi nationals proceeding by air or over land to destinations in the SAARC member countries and Myanmar.

Also for visit of Bangladeshi nationals to destinations in countries other than those mentioned above, up to $ 7,000 per person may be issued during a calendar year.

"As before, for minors (below 12 years in age) the applicable quota will be half the amount admissible for adults," the Bangladesh Bank (BB) said in a circular, issued Sunday.

However, foreign exchange in the form of cash must not exceed $ 3,000 per person per trip. It was $ 2,000 earlier.  

"We've increased the private travel quota to facilitate tourism," a BB official explained.

He also said the central bank earlier enhanced business travel entitlement to $ 10,000 from $ 5,000 to facilitate business activities.