I am delighted to have the opportunity to send my best wishes on the occasion of publishing Banking Almanac for the second time. I, on behalf of Association of Bankers, Bangladesh Limited (ABB) want to extend our felicitations on this grand occasion; and our thanks for incorporating the data of Banking Industry, which will immensely help in many moves for the betterment of Financial Sector of the country.

Bangladesh has been extraordinarily successful in growing its economy and spreading the benefits of that growth across society. Over the last 10 years, Bangladesh Economy has taken a positive shape, has been able to achieve inclusive growth by maintaining over 6 percent GDP growth on an average, is expected to achieve more than 7.86% growth in this year. There is significant development of infrastructure across the country.

This growth was accompanied by a significant decline in poverty, an increase in employment, greater access to health and education, and improved basic infrastructure. As a result, our country is now considered middle income. The next goal is to reach upper-middle-income country status by 2021. This ambitious initiative will require annual GDP growth of 7.5%–8% and will entail overcoming significant obstacles and seizing on new opportunities brought about by changing global circumstances.

Bangladesh has fulfilled the eligibility criteria set by the United Nations to be recognized as a developing country, crossing over from the list of least developed countries (LDCs).It is expected to get the formal recognition by 2024.

Nevertheless, the continued success of this publication reflects a strong commitment to delivering new and higher standards in Banking Industry. Banking Almanac is surely a leading resource of banking information for the financial industry. It also help our users conduct compliance checks, assess credit risk, make payments, and conduct financial research across the country.

I am grateful to the esteemed Editorial Board of Banking Almanac. My sincere thanks to Shikkhabichitra and the entire enlightened Team for making it a huge success. Most importantly, my sincere gratitude to Bangladesh Bank for the continued cooperation and guidance in publication of this Big Book.

I am sure this Publication will make access to data of our Banking Industry by all at home & abroad much easier. Banking Almanac will also help us to look to our strategies from new perspectives; and will provide enormous solution for improvisation.

ABB wishes all the success of this almanac.

Syed Muhbubur Rahman
Chairman