JOYPURHAT, October 26: The central bank will extend its support to establish industries, including micro, small and medium enterprises, part of its effort to ensure sustainable development, Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Dr Atiur Rahman said.
"We'll facilitate the interested entrepreneurs for setting up industries to create employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas," the Governor said.
His assurance came at a civic gathering at Joypurhat Circuit House premises Monday, where he was the chief guest.
He also said the BB is going to launch a US$500-million export development fund soon for attaining maximum economic growth through boosting medium and long-term investment, particularly in productive sectors.
Dr Rahman noted that the central bank would continue to facilitate private sector credit from overseas sources.
The BB governor also advised local entrepreneurs to set up special private economic zones like Abdul Momen and AK Khan Group did.
The government is now working to establish 100 economic zones across the country, said the governor.
Before his address, the BB governor visited different stalls set up by 14 banks around the meeting place to display their various types of products.
The banks disbursed Tk 11.8 million in loan to the local entrepreneurs to facilitate their business activities, while 14 successful entrepreneurs were honoured at the meeting.
The BB governor said the central bank has already introduced digital financial inclusion initiatives through strengthening the use of latest technology.
"We're going to introduce a Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system on October 29 to facilitate business activities through strengthening the payment system further," the governor noted.
He also said the central bank is now upgrading its payment system and IT infrastructure of the financial sector enabling cost-efficient online or mobile phone or smart card-based financial services to bring more unbanked people into the banking network.
Among others, local lawmakers Abu Sayed Al Mahmud Swapan and Shamsul Alam Dudu, Executive Director of BB Bishnu Pada Saha, Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officer Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB) Manjur Ahmed and Deputy Managing Director of Janata Bank Limited Hasan Iqbal spoke on the occasion.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
