Garment exporters yesterday demanded a quick probe into the corruption allegations against Sonali Bank officials and the Hall-mark Group authorities.

In a written statement, leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) also expressed concern that the scandal can seriously hamper the process of borrowing from banks by entrepreneurs in the industrial sector.

“The authorised dealer (AD) branches of the banks are showing apathy to the cases of local bill purchases due to the scandalous irregularities by corrupt bank officials and vested quarters among the business community,” said the statement yesterday.

The AD branches are often unduly referring the local bill purchases to the head office for further approval, or showing excuses, referring to the central bank, they said.

The alleged loan scam of Hall-mark Group, an apparel maker, would hamper new exploration initiative by real entrepreneurs as the scam could damage the brand image of the country, said the exporters.

The BGMEA leaders demand strict legal actions against those involved in the financial irregularities, the statement added.

An investigation by the Bangladesh Bank found that the Ruposhi Bangla Hotel branch of Sonali Bank is responsible for illegally disbursing Tk 3,547 crore loans to Hall-mark Group and five other companies between 2010 and May this year.

The investigation also revealed that Hall-mark Group alone took Tk 2,686 crore out of the total amount of loans.