Kishorgong, Bangladesh (BBN)- Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Atiur Rahman has asked the commercial banks to expedite their financing in remote areas including Haor ones in the country’s north-eastern districts.
“We’re working to bring all un-banked people into the banking network through strengthening financial inclusion programmes across the country,” Dr. Rahman said.
The central bank governor was speaking as the chief guest at three banking conferences at Astogram, Mithamain and Itna upazilas in Kishorgonj district on September 11-12.
The BB governor suggested the policy makers to formulate ‘a mega project’ aiming to develop the socio-economic condition in the Haor areas. “It is not acceptable that people from the President’s locality will live without food.”
The central bank chief also suggested the local administration for introduction of agriculture insurance on trial basis for the farmers of the locality.
Dr Rahman also declared to provide ‘Governor Scholarship’ to the students of different schools and colleges at the Haor areas under the central bank’s CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) programme.
At the conferences, the governor also handed over loans to some small entrepreneurs, farmers and students under farm, SME and education credit schemes of the Sonali Bank Limited and the Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB).
Managing Directors (MDs) and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of five commercial banks have assured instantly to boost their financing in the remote areas through setting up new branches, offering scholarships and providing computers to the school and colleges during the conferences.
MD and CEO of the Sonali Bank Limited Pradip Kumar Dutta, MD of the BKB Abdus Salam, MD and CEO of the National Bank Limited A K M Shafiqur Rahman, MD and CEO of the EXIM Bank Limited Mohammed Haider Ali Miah and DMD of the City Bank Limited Mashrur Arefin have also assured to provide funds for improving sanitation in the Haor areas.
Presided over by Rejwan Ahmed Tofique MP, the conferences were addressed among others by BB Executive Director M Mahfuzur Rahman and senior bankers and local government officials.
The Sonali Bank Limited and the BKB jointly organised the conferences aimed at making local people aware about the facilities the bankers are providing to help marginal farmers and small businesses.
BBN/SSR/AD-14Sept14-12:07 pm (BST)
