Bangladesh Bank governor Dr. Atiur Rahman urged the financial institutions to bring all garment workers under mobile banking (MB) service.
“We want to provide MB accounts to each of the employees working with the country’s readymade garment (RMG) sector,” said the governor while inaugurating the NCCB SureCash – a comprehensive mobile financial service – at a local hotel on Sunday. Describing the country’s banking sector as the most stable one compared others in the world and said its financial sector is resilient against moderate shocks.
He said that Bangladesh may be a role model for financial inclusion particularly for the courageous regulatory moves by its central bank.
He appreciated the central banks regulatory activities, guiding the banks, both private and public, in embracing financial innovative inclusive products even during this challenging time of global financial crisis. Canadian High Commissioner Heather Cruden appreciated the services which she said could help improve governance and fight corruption.
At the same time the Canadian high commissioner expressed her grave concern over the political instability and its economic impact and urged all concerned to reject the political violence. The country is having a crisis of reputation, she added.“The political parties need to clarify and publicly reject the use of political valance,” said the ambassador adding that Canada calls on them to engage one another meaningfully and constructively to address the ongoing political issues and ensure that the upcoming election will be free fair and transparent.
“The private sector needs to work with government to address workplace safety so that international buyers have the confidence to continue to invest.
The High Commissioner also appreciated the central bank for taking initiative to take advantage of technology to spread banking to the people who do not have access to banking services.
The inaugural function was also addressed among others by NCCBL chairman Nurun Newaz Salim, NCCBL managing director and CEO Mohammed Nurul Amin, Additional MD Golam Hafiz Ahmed, EVP Omar Faruque Bhuiyan and Progoti Sytems CEO Dr. Shahadat Khan.
The programme was attended by a large number of audiences which included representatives from various financial institutions, government officials, senior bankers, branch managers and customers.
National Credit and Commerce Bank Ltd (NCCBL) started the mobile banking service through this inaugural programme.
The Progoti Systems is providing the technical supports to payments and remittance solutions to the bank.
Bangladesh Bank governor Atiur inaugurated the NCCB SureCash service by receiving some Tk 1000 sent by NCCBL managing director and CEO Mohammed Nurul Amin.
Using the NCCB SureCash services, a customer can open new account, deposit money, withdraw cash at any authorized SureCash agent or NCCB branch. A customer may also send money to another customer, receive salary or pay bills from his account using his own phone, without visiting any bank branch or agent. Atiur attributed the stable banking sector to the diversification in banks accounts and disbursement of loans in productive sector.
He pointed out that employees working with RMG sector will get every support but warned the financial institutions not to extend any lone to non-compliant industries.
“The central bank is working relentlessly to develop a skilled and secured banking system based on modern technology to ensure stability in the country’s financial sector,” said the governor.
-With The Independent input
