Insurance sector to observe seven-day holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr

Staff Correspondent: The insurance sector in Bangladesh will observe a seven-day holiday in line with the government’s public holiday schedule for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. During this period, the head offices, branch offices and regular operations of insurance companies across the country will remain closed.

According to the schedule, the holiday will begin on 17 March and continue until 23 March. Insurance companies are expected to resume normal operations on 24 March.

The extended holiday follows a circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, which declared 18 March as an additional government holiday through an executive order. The decision was taken to align the holidays between Shab-e-Qadr and Eid-ul-Fitr, resulting in a week-long break for both public and private sector institutions.

Earlier, the ministry had already announced a five-day holiday from 19 March to 23 March, considering the possible date of Eid-ul-Fitr based on moon sighting. Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on 21 March, subject to the sighting of the moon.

Under the previous schedule, 21 March was designated as the public holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr, while 19 and 20 March were declared holidays ahead of Eid through executive orders. Additionally, 22 and 23 March were set as post-Eid holidays.

With 17 March marked as the government holiday for Shab-e-Qadr and the newly announced 18 March holiday, the total break now spans seven consecutive days, including four days before Eid and two days after the festival.

As the insurance sector follows the government’s public holiday schedule, insurance companies will suspend regular services during this period.

Insurance providers have advised policyholders and clients to complete essential transactions in advance, including premium payments, document submissions and other urgent insurance-related services, before the holiday begins to avoid inconvenience.