Rural economy waits for strengthing -Atiur
Published on June 20, 2010 by News Hours BD · No CommentsSylhet, June 19 (NewshoursBD.com)
Bangladesh Bank governor Atiur Rahman on Saturday stressed the need for strengthening rural economy to face growing challenges of attaining food security.
He said flow of agricultural loan would be increased to boost the country’s economy by reducing dependence on agricultural imports and by alleviating poverty through employment generation.
Bangladesh Bank would continue its efforts to provide poor and marginal farmers and sharecroppers with banking facilities. It also works since age old previous.
Atiur Rahman was speaking at an event to distribute small and medium loans organised by Jinabazar corporate branch of Bangladesh Krishi Bank on Saturday.
He also said, “It is not obligatory for Krishi Bank to provide agricultural loan only. Now the bank is distributing loan among the small and medium entrepreneurs.”
He said, “Sylhet abounds in winter crops but there is no investment from the banks here.”
The people of Sylhet living abroad play a significant role in the economy by sending remittance but they are not keen to invest here, he said.
He said loan collection has been postponed for a year as flash floods badly damaged boro crops.
On top of that agriculture loan would be distributed among a large number of sharecroppers through the banking channel, he said.
Recommendations of field level bankers and stakeholders have been sought to make agriculture and rural loan policy more effective, he said
Later he distributed loans worth Tk 3.26 crore among 42 entrepreneurs.