New BB Governor vows to chase money launderers

Newly appointed Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur on Wednesday said the central bank will give utmost priority to containing inflationary pressure and bringing stability in the forex market.
"The high rate of inflation and the crisis in the foreign exchange reserves are the two headline challenges of the economy," he told a media briefing soon after taking charge at the BB headquarters in the capital.
He mentioned that the central bank's main task is to control inflation and said since inflation is now on the rise and reserves are on the wane, it has to take steps to resolve such issues.
The interim government, led by Nobel Laureate and microcredit pioneer Dr. Muhammad Yunus, appointed Dr Mansur, an eminent economist who served the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for many years, as the BB governor to replace Abdur Rouf Talukder, who resigned last week amid unrest in the central bank.
The governor said the economy also needs to increase the level of foreign exchange reserves though the twin crises will not go away fully in a year. "Highest efforts will be initiated to normalise the situation as soon as possible."
About the people who allegedly plundered public money from the banking system, the governor issued a clear, strong message that the money launderers will not be allowed to sleep peacefully.
"Even if the money cannot be recovered from them, they will at least be put on the run in accordance with the law," said Mr Mansur.
The money launderers will be caught not only through the efforts of the government and Bangladesh Bank, but with support from international communities and agencies as well, he added.
"We will create such a situation that those who have taken the money abroad will remain in trouble. I will make sure that they can no longer sleep on pillows of money.
"International law is now somewhat favourable and we must use it. Whether the money is recovered or not, they will remain in trouble," he added.
He also blamed the central bank a bit for deterioration in the country's banking industry. To resolve this situation, the government promised to take up a plan within a week after holding discussions with every stakeholder, he said.
He mentioned that he will hold a discussion with officials concerned very soon to decide a course of action for dealing with the persistent forex shortage.

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