BB services to go rural

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) will introduce next year a loan scheme styled 'one banking product in each upazila' across the country in an effort to generate jobs for more people.

The central bank will implement the programme under a five-year strategic plan from 2010 to 2014, BB Deputy Governor Murshid Kuli Khan said at a press briefing at the bank's conference room yesterday.

Khan said the plan aims at taking the services of the central bank to more people apart from its traditional roles in controlling inflation and regulating banks. In line with the plan, highest emphasis will be laid on small and medium enterprises after agriculture sector.

Under the plan, different loan programmes will be launched targeting upazilas and villages so more rural people are get involved with the process of economic development.

Necessity of taking diversified programmes for different areas will surface in future and schemes will be taken accordingly, Khan said.

A workshop was organised for senior officials of the central bank at Jamuna Resort on Friday and Saturday to prepare the strategic plan, he said.

Earlier opinions were taken for the plan from the finance ministry, commerce ministry, Securities and Exchange Commission, Board of Investment, Economic Relations Division, various donor agencies and business bodies.

Khan said the plan is now at the final stage and would be launched soon.

The details of the plan will be made available through the Bangladesh Bank website.

The deputy governor said: "A vision of the future Bangladesh Bank was in our consideration while formulating the strategic plan. We want to see such a central bank where changes are visible and a continuous process."

He said use of technology would increase to cope with the reality of globalisation. There will be scope for reaching the fruits of technology to each household. The future Bangladesh Bank will always encourage financial inclusion, he added.

Khan said: "We did not take any assistance from foreign consultants in preparing the action plan. In the plan there will be specific vision for every department of the central bank. The schemes described in the strategic plan will be evaluated every year."