Message, Governor Bangladesh Bank

Bangladesh economy has been growing steadily with sustained spell of 6% plus annual real GDP growth over the last decade, and entering the new era of 7% plus growth in the last fiscal. This remarkable growth performance outperforms many of our regional peers. Bangladesh has already earned global recognition for her inclusive growth performance, and stability in the financial sector. The vision is now to achieve upper middle income country status by the year 2021, which requires higher level of foreign and private investment in the growth supportive productive sectors. The financial sector of Bangladesh has a crucial role in this development journey. While we need to ensure adequate credit for the growth generating activities, we also need to maintain price stability and external sector viability to provide investors with a stable economic outlook. It is notable that banks and financial institutions in Bangladesh have been contributing greatly to the development needs through mobilizing savings, promoting trade and investment, facilitating government’s agenda of building a digital nation, and finally, broadening financial services to reach out to the marginalised population through promotion of innovative financial services.

A rapidly growing banking sector and diversified financial products have elevated the need for a single compilation of information on banks and financial institutions in Bangladesh to help economic agents make informed decision on their savings and investments. I am delighted to learn that Shikkhabichitra, with financial support from Bangladesh Bank, has made this effort to prepare Banking Almanac, which consolidates information on major financial indicators of all banks and financial institutions in Bangladesh. I believe professionals, investors, researchers, and general people who are keen to have a glimpse of the financial sector of Bangladesh will benefit greatly from this Almanac. My compliments to the Board of eminent editors and the publisher of Banking Almanac for this timely publication. I would also like to thank the stakeholders from banks and financial institutions for providing valuable information. I hope Banking Almanac will minimize information gap, and promote competition in the financial sector of Bangladesh.

Fazle Kabir
GOVERNOR, Bangladesh Bank
(Central Bank of Bangladesh)