Move to outsource GM for BFIU

FE Report | Published: June 22, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

The central bank has decided to hire a general manager (GM) on contractual basis for the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), though amid strong protest of its officials concerned.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) board of directors, held in its headquarters on Sunday with Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman in the chair.
"The board has agreed to outsource a GM on contractual basis for BFIU, considering its technical activities," BB deputy governor SK Sur Chowdhury told the FE after the board meeting.
He also said the central bank will publish advertisement in newspapers for recruiting the GM.
BFIU, a national agency, has been working for preventing money laundering and terrorist financing on the basis of the Money Laundering Provision Rules 2013.
"The central bank has been providing all supports to run BFIU on behalf of the government," a BB official said while explaining the legal status of BFIU.
He also said till now the unit has been run by a deputy governor as its head, instead of a GM like other departments of the central bank.
"Actually, the government as well as the central bank wants to strengthen BFIU in line with the global standard by hiring an efficient GM," the central banker noted.
However, a good number of BB officials staged demonstration in front of the central bank main building before the board meeting, protesting the initiative of hiring a GM for BFIU on contractual basis.
They also distributed copies of a letter, expressing concern over the issue, to the BB board of directors, while they were entering the building to join the meeting.
Earlier, the officials also requested the BB governor not to appoint any GM for BFIU on contractual basis, bypassing a regular GM of the central bank. Such type of appointment will create obstacle to ensuring good governance in BB. Besides, it will also hinder skill development process of the central bank officials, they observed.
Meanwhile, a top BB official told the FE: "The demonstration issue was also discussed at the board meeting, which decided to take action against the officials involved in such activities."
He also said the central bank may issue show-cause notice against the officials concerned today (Monday).
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