Dutch Queen Máxima in Dhaka
In her capacity as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), Dutch Queen Máxima arrived here on Monday morning on a three-day visit.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Atiur Rahman and other senior officials received her at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after her arrival at about 8:25am.
The visit, at the invitation of Bangladesh government, is part of Queen Máxima’s global efforts to raise awareness and foster action towards financial inclusion for everyone, according to UNDP press release.
During her stay in Bangladesh, the UNSGSA is scheduled to meet President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman, as well as other senior officials of the government, development partners, members of the civil society and the private sector.
The UNSGSA will also be meeting representatives of the banking and microfinance sectors.
Access to financial services is an important tool to reduce poverty, boost economic development, empower women and achieve other development goals as acknowledged in the recently adopted 2030 sustainable development agenda.
Building on Bangladesh’s significant efforts, the visit will focus on various priorities including the strengthening of the microfinance sector and advancing mobile financial services for financially excluded populations and SMEs.
Máxima has also been honorary patron of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion since 2011.