Press Release
Dhaka, 22 September, 2021

Unveiling Special Issue of Bank Parikrama on the Auspicious Occasion of the Celebration of Birth Centenary of the Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman held virtually (online zoom platform) on 22 September,2021 arranged by BIBM.

Mr. Fazle Kabir, Chairman of BIBM Governing Board and Governor of Bangladesh Bank was present in the program as the chief guest. Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Director General of BIBM chaired the program. Dr. Prashanta Kumar Banerjee, Professor (Selection Grade) gave address of welcome.

BIBM has published a special issue of the quarterly journal 'Bank Parikrama,'  falgship publications of BIBM to celebrate the Bangabandhu's birth centenary, Where 10 articles of eminent economists, academics, bankers and researchers of the country have been published. The celebration of the birth centenary of our greatest leader Bangabandhu started on March 17, 2020  and will continue till 16 December 2021. To be part of this magnificent and memorable event, BIBM has published a special issue of its flagship journal, Bank Parikrama. This initiative gives me immense pleasure as I believe that such academic exercise would be a perfect befitting way for an institute like BIBM to pay tribute to the greatest Bengali of all times.

In the virtual program, Governor of Bangladesh Bank said that Bangabandhu made financial sector as the cornerstone of his national policy between 1972 and 1975.  Although Bangabandhu was not an academic economist, his deep understanding about the real status of our economy as well as financial condition of the mass people made him a great practical economist and a real mentor of the economy as well as the financial sector. 

After nine and half month captivity in Pakistan when father of nation came back to independent Bangladesh on 10th January to steer the war-ravaged economy, he immediately gave direction to organize the financial sector of the country. As per the direction of the father of nation, financial sector initiated its journey by naming Dhaka Office of the then State Bank of Pakistan as the Bangladesh Bank, central Bank of Bangladesh, along with six nationalized commercial banks, two specialized banks and three foreign commercial banks he added.

This quick and incredible task actually created the foundation of the banking sector of Bangladesh. From this solid legacy left behind by the father of the nation, we are still drawing our inspiration for making the financial sector as the true catalyst for development of the nation –Governor of Bangladesh Bank added. 

Professor Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin,  Chief Advisor of East West University and Former Governor of Bangladesh Bank; Dr. Atiur Rahman, Chair Professor of Dhaka University and Former Governor of Bangladesh Bank; Dr. Syed Manzoorul Islam, Former Professor of Dhaka University; Mr. Ahmed Jamal, Chairman of BIBM Executive Committee and Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank; Dr. Mustafa K. Mujeri, Executive Director of Institute for Inclusive and Finance Development (InM); Mr. M.A. Sattar Mandal, Emeritus Professor of Agricultural Economics and Former Vice Chacellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University;  Professor Abdul Bayes, Adjunct Faculty of East West University and Former Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University; Professor Dr. Matiur Rahman, JP Morgan –Chase Endowed Professor of Finance of McNeese State University made comments as designated discussants.

A good number of participants including economists, senior bank executives, academicians, media representatives, faculty members of BIBM took part in the program.
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