Upon a directive from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the finance division has recently submitted a draft proposal to Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman.

Currently, the government provides loans at 5 percent interest rate for industrial and agricultural ventures by the indigenous people in Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban districts as special economic zones. Joint ventures between highlanders and plainlanders also enjoy this facility.

The four nationalised commercial banks and Bangladesh Krishi Bank, which usually charge between 9 and 15 percent, provide the soft loans.

For subsidised lending, they get refinancing from Bangladesh Bank at 1.5 percent interest rate make good the loss.

Recently, a forum of settlers under the banner of Khagrachhari Parbatya Bangalee Dalpati Kalyan Parishad appealed to the prime minister to provide them soft loans. This triggered the PMO to direct the finance division to find out a solution.

The finance division after reviewing the lending facility in the hills said as per the constitution, the present system does not ensure equity in the region.