Probashi Kallyan Bank has taken a groundbreaking step to expand employment opportunities abroad and to skill up Bangladeshi students. The bank has launched a new loan facility for students, through which those willing to go abroad will receive financial assistance for language learning and technical skill acquisition. Under this scheme, a student or trainee can avail of a loan ranging from a minimum of 1 lakh Taka up to a maximum of 10 lakh Taka. The primary objective of this loan is to ensure that Bangladeshi workers can secure high-quality jobs and respectable salaries upon going abroad.
Fahim Mashroor, the Chief Executive of BDJobs, has welcomed this initiative. He noted that although the number of graduates in the country has increased significantly over the past few years, many are forced to engage in labour-level jobs abroad due to a lack of proper training or language skills. According to him, if students can acquire proper skills even after going abroad, their opportunities for high-income jobs increase manifold. This loan from Probashi Kallyan Bank will play a crucial role in ensuring that opportunity. This loan is primarily being provided for participation in foreign language education and special skill development courses in developed countries such as Japan, Germany, South Korea, Italy, and Russia. The bank has determined the slogan for this initiative as, ‘Skills are valued worldwide, knowing a language increases opportunities.’
For the convenience of borrowers, the bank authorities have determined the tenure and interest rate of the loan. The tenure of the loan can range from two to five years, and the interest rate has been fixed at 11 per cent, which is subject to change as per requirement. To be eligible for the loan, the applicant must be within 40 years of age and must be a local resident. Additionally, the applicant must submit an admission confirmation letter or Offer Letter issued from the destination country and a certificate of at least intermediate-level language proficiency. It is worth noting that this loan is applicable only for short-term courses, with a maximum duration of two years.
The collateral requirements vary depending on the loan amount. A table regarding this is provided below:
| Loan Amount (Taka) | Collateral or Condition |
| 1 Lakh – 3 Lakh | No immovable property collateral is required. Only a personal guarantee from one guarantor and three leaves of an active bank account cheque must be submitted. |
| 3 Lakh – 5 Lakh | Immovable property with a market value of at least double the loan limit must be submitted as collateral. |
| 5 Lakh – 10 Lakh | A registered mortgage in favour of the bank and an irrevocable power of attorney deed must be submitted. |
Documents required for loan processing include three copies of passport-sized photographs, a photocopy of the National Identity Card, the offer letter from the educational institution, passport, photocopies of the latest academic certificates, and a language proficiency certificate. Additionally, information regarding a capable guarantor must be provided. The bank authorities have warned that there are no intermediaries or agents for this loan. Interested candidates must apply online or directly at the nearest branch. For detailed information, one may contact the helpline number 16238.