Rangpur: Bangladesh Bank (BB) governor Dr Atiur Rahman has said Bangladesh is the most economically stable country now despite continuation of the global economic recession.

‘Bangladesh is a success story to achieve laudable success ininclusive economy and it will go to digital financial inclusion soon for making everyone as an entrepreneur to achieve more success in future,’ he said.

The BB chief said this at a reception accorded to him by Bankers Club, Rangpur (BCR) at Rangpur Army Medical College Cafeteria premises on Saturday night for becoming the Best Central Bank Governor of the Year 2015 for the Asia and Pacific region.

BCR president and BB Rangpur Branch general manger Khurshid Alam delivered welcome speech congratulating the BB Governor for bringing honour to the nation through winning award of the Best Central Bank Governor.

Divisional commissioner Muhammad Dilwar Bakht, deputy commissioner Rahat Anwar, managing directors, executive directors and high officials of different banks, chamber leaders, industrialists, entrepreneurs, journalists and elite were present.

Atiur dedicated the award to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for appointing him as BB governor, his bank officials and employees for their sincere professional works, working people for their contribution to the nation and martyred freedom fighters.

‘Winning of the award is not my personal achievement, but a success of the people of Bangladesh and all credits go to them,’ the BB governor said.

‘There was a time in the past when Bangladesh had no capability to pay regular fee at its own to the IMF after becoming its member,’ he said adding that the nation has now a foreign currency reserve of about 27 billion US dollars.

He said the nation has high agriculture production and laid emphasis on ensuring fair price to the farmers through improving infrastructures, diversification of agriculture and production of high valued crops to turn Bangladesh into a modern country.

‘Tk 16,000 to 17,000 crore are being disbursed among the farmers as agriculture loans now annually,’ he said adding that Taka 232 crore has been allocated for Rangpur region alone under Equity and Entrepreneurship Fund (EEF) to promote agri-based industries.

‘There was 'monga', (a seasonal phenomenon of joblessness that put the extremely poor into livelihoods crisis) in Rangpur region in the past, but we have made it a history now to go ahead,’ Atiur said.  

He suggested the bank authorities for putting due attention on development of backward areas through promoting SME, female entrepreneurs and involving people living there with participatory inclusive economic activities for their speedy advancement.

Bangladesh Bank has been working with the government for building a safer payment system, he said and directed the banks for ensuing hassle-free banking services for all people using cards and further improving mobile banking facilities.