1,227 farmers open accounts, says BB governor in Khulna

Our Correspondent KHULNA, Oct 30: About 1.227 million farmers have opened bank accounts by depositing Tk 10 and at present the deposited money stands at Tk 26.5 million, said the Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr. Atiur Rahman while he was exchanging views with the journalists at the conference room of Bangladesh Bank, Khulna branch, on Saturday evening. The governor said that Khulna region is a potential area to invest in fisheries, cattle farming, agriculture and SME sectors. For this reason, the target has been fixed at Tk 3,415 crore this year to distribute SME loan in this area and Tk 2,176 crore has already been distributed during the first nine months which is 64 per cent of its target. He also said, customer's interest protection centres are being set up in Bangladesh Bank head office and branch offices. The meeting was attended among others AKM Fazlur Rahman, General Manager of Bangladesh Bank Khulna branch and Managing Director and CEO of Sonali Bank Limited M Humaun Kabir. Earlier, BB Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman addressed as chief guest in a workshop held at CSS Ava Centre arranged by Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA). He said the MRA distributed 600 certificates to small entrepreneurs for conducting activities. He also said that the loan has been distributed to 2.7 million people out of 6.7 million poor people in ten districts of this region through 82 organizations. The workshop was presided over by the Deputy Commissioner Jamsher Ahmed Khondoker and addressed among others by the General Manager of Bangladesh Bank Khulna branch AKM Fazlur Rahman and Executive Vice Chairman of MEA Khodoker Mazaharul Haque. Later the governor discussed matters of interest with the businessmen of Khulna and Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industries. He also met with the heads of all banks and financial institutions of Khulna. 2 killed in road accident Another message adds: Two persons including one woman were killed in separate road accidents on Saturday in Khulna. The deceased were identified as Anwarul (35) son of Sultan Gazi of village Mahajanpur under Asashuni Upazila of Satkhira district and Ambia Begum (40) wife of Abdul Mannan of village Choto Boyra under Sonadanga thana of Khulna city. Police and local sources said that Anwarul was killed while he was going to village Dharmotala by a motor cycle with his friend Aminur. When they reached Biswas Bari an engine van (Nasimon) from opposite direction dashed them and they fell on the road. Anwarul died on the spot and Aminur was admitted to Satkhira Sadar Hospital. Another accident occurred in front of Khulna Medical College Hospital when Ambia Begum was returning from KMCH after taking treatment. At that time a loaded easy bike crushed her and she died on the spot.