Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, Bangladesh Bank is preparing to release newly designed 20, 50, and 1000 Taka banknotes into the market. The notes are currently being printed at the Security Printing Corporation (SPCBL) in Gazipur, and the printing process is now in its final stages.
Unlike the previously issued notes, the new ones will not feature the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Instead, the notes will return to earlier designs and include graphics representing the events of the July uprising.
Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, has confirmed to the media that the new banknotes will be available before Eid. While preparations are nearly complete, he did not specify the exact date of release for each denomination.
Another senior official from Bangladesh Bank, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that printing of the 20 Taka notes is nearly finished and will be handed over to the central bank next week. The 50 and 1000 Taka notes are scheduled to follow the week after. Initially, the new notes will be distributed through Bangladesh Bank’s Motijheel office and its other branches, followed by distribution to commercial banks. A limited number of the new notes are expected to be released ahead of the Eid holidays.
Previously, due to controversy surrounding banknotes featuring Bangabandhu’s portrait, Bangladesh Bank suspended the new note exchange program. On March 10, a directive was issued to all bank managing directors to halt the exchange and preserve any new notes already in stock. This led to a complete suspension of new note circulation, resulting in a noticeable increase in worn and damaged notes in the market.
With the reintroduction of new notes, it is hoped that this shortage will be alleviated to some extent before Eid.
