FEPD Circular Letter No. 20: Remittance for all type of expenses of hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia under private management for the Hijri year 1443

Foreign Exchange Policy Department Bangladesh Bank Head Office Dhaka. Ref. No. FEPD Circular Letter No. 20 Date: 15 Jyestha, 1429 29 May, 2022

To: All Approved Dealers Banks engaged in Foreign Exchange Transactions Main Office / Principal Office.

Dear Sir,

Subject: Remittance of all expenses for Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia under private management for Hijri 1443/2022.

Reference is drawn to your attention to the letter of Hajj-1 Branch, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, dated 24/05/2022, Memo No. 16.00.0000.003.40.008.22.596 (Copy enclosed) regarding the subject cited above.

2. In compliance with the submission of the list of Hajj pilgrims, it is necessary to take measures to remit the required amount for all expenses of Hajj pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia in Hijri 1443/2022 under private management, through their respective Hajj Agency Bank Accounts (OIA). The amount is BDT 3,04,302.15 (Three Lakh Four Thousand Three Hundred Two and Paisa Fifteen) per pilgrim, equivalent to SAR 12,522.72 (Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Twenty-Two and Halala Sixty-Eight), following proper financial rules and regulations.

3. All concerned parties are requested to inform themselves of the contents of this Circular Letter.

Enclosure: As above.

Yours faithfully,

(Kazi Rafiqul Hasan) Director (FEPD) Phone: 9530123

---

Ministry of Religious Affairs Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Head Office, Dhaka. Ref. No. FEPD Circular Letter No. 20 Date: 24 May, 2022 Memo No: 16.00.0000.003.40.008.22.596 (Kp)

To: The Chief Executive Officer All Approved Dealers Banks Dhaka.

Subject: Remittance of all expenses for Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia under private management for Hijri 1443.

Reference is drawn to your attention to the letter of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, dated 24/05/2022, Memo No. 16.00.0000.003.40.008.22.596 (Kp) regarding the subject cited above.

It is stated that the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh has decided to allow private management for Hajj pilgrims for the Hijri year 1443. In this regard, it has been decided that the expenses for Hajj pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia under private management will be remitted through the Bank Accounts of the respective Hajj Agencies (OIA). The amount of BDT 3,04,302.15 per pilgrim has been fixed for this purpose. This amount covers all expenses including air ticket, visa, accommodation, food, local transport, and other incidental expenses in Saudi Arabia. The remittance must be made in Saudi Riyal (SAR) at the prevailing market rate or the rate fixed by the Bangladesh Bank, as per the instructions issued from time to time.

The Hajj Agencies are required to submit the list of pilgrims to the Bangladesh Bank along with the remittance advice. The list must contain the name, passport number, and other relevant details of the pilgrims. The Hajj Agencies must ensure that the remittance is made through the proper banking channel and in compliance with the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947, and the rules made thereunder.

The Approved Dealers Banks are requested to ensure that the remittance is made in accordance with the instructions issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Bangladesh Bank. The Banks must also ensure that the remittance is made only to the authorized Hajj Agencies and for the authorized pilgrims.

The Hajj Agencies are also required to submit the utilization certificate of the remitted amount to the Bangladesh Bank within 30 days of the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage. The certificate must be verified by the concerned Hajj Agency and submitted to the Bangladesh Bank along with the original remittance advice and other relevant documents.

The Approved Dealers Banks are requested to bring this matter to the notice of all concerned branches and ensure strict compliance with the instructions issued herein.

Yours faithfully,

(Director) Hajj-1 Branch Ministry of Religious Affairs Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Dhaka.

Copy to:

1. The Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka.
2. The Governor, Bangladesh Bank, Dhaka.
3. The Chief Executive Officer, All Approved Dealers Banks, Dhaka.
4. The Director General, Department of Hajj, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka.
5. The Director, Foreign Exchange Policy Department, Bangladesh Bank, Dhaka.
6. Guard file.