Atiur gets ‘Best Central Bank Governor’ Award

Financial Times-owned magazine The Banker has selected Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman as the recipient of the 'Best Central Bank Governor' Award 2015 from the Asia Pacific region for his contribution to the successful maintenance of macroeconomic stability in the country.

The United Kingdom-based prestigious financial magazine announced the award Monday in recognition of his role in promoting socially responsible financing, financing inclusiveness and green funding.

 At a press conference Tuesday the BB governor said Bangladesh's economy stayed in 'the most stable position' in the Asia-Pacific region.

He cited two props for the stability.

He said a consistent growth rate coupled with a stable exchange rate of the local currency kept Bangladesh's economy in such an envious state.   

Dr Rahman said all stakeholders of the economy should make their efforts to help maintain the country's economic stability.

"We've to maintain the economic stability at any cost," the Bangladesh Bank chief told the press conference at the BB headquarters in Dhaka following the announcement of the award.

 "We've been consistently achieving six-plus economic growth and our currency remains stable against the US dollar," the governor told the reporters.

He also said the award proved that Bangladesh economy is stable and expanding.

 "Economic interests must get the priority although there're differences of opinion among political parties in their thoughts and politics," the BB governor said in reply to a query.

He also said: "We want political stability. We want the exporters to safely reach his product to port and investors to utilise his bank loans properly without being defaulter due to political unrest."

Among others, Change Management Advisor of the BB Allah Malik Kazemi, Deputy Governors of the central bank Abul Quasem, Abu Hena Mohd. Razee Hassan, SK Sur Chowdhury and Nazneen Sultana and Chief Economist Biru Paksha Paul also spoke on the occasion.

The financial magazine has declared the award in recognition of BB governor's work exemplifying how central banks can play essential role in promoting the financing of socially and environmentally responsible initiatives without compromising on growth or macroeconomic stability.

"Your efforts to promote socially responsible financing, financing inclusiveness and green funding while maintaining macroeconomic stability in Bangladesh were key to our decision," Stefania Palma, Asia Editor of The Banker, said in a letter sent to the BB governor.

The editor also said: "This decision was the outcome of our discussions here at the magazine, and a survey of views among bankers and economists."

Ever since assuming office as central bank governor in 2009, Dr Rahman has been spearheading initiatives of ingraining in the Bangladesh financial sector socially and environmentally responsible financing ethos, with multi-pronged facilitation and policy support for inclusive, green financing.

All this is being done within safe limits of monetary expansion supporting the output growth and macroeconomic stability goals aspired in the government's inclusive sustainable development strategy, the BB said in a statement.

 "The approach has contributed notably in upholding domestic demand-led growth and stability amid prolonged post-global financial crisis slowdown in global output growth; with faster poverty decline sustained by employment and income in SMEs,  stable downward edging inflation, and strengthening external sector viability," it noted.

The Best Central Bank Governor award 2015 for Asia-Pacific, a vast region that is now the major engine powering global growth, is a strong affirmation of his positive vision-driven proactive innovative approach in central banking.

In November last year, Dr Rahman received the "GUSI Peace Prize International 2014" award for his contribution to establishing peace by reducing poverty in Bangladesh.

The BB governor also received the prestigious "Indira Gandhi Gold Plaque for 2011" for his contribution to international cooperation towards human progress.

Dr Rahman was appointed 10th governor of Bangladesh Bank on May 1, 2009 for a four-year term, which was extended last year for another term.

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