CHITTAGONG: In the last four years, country’s banking sector achieved distinct success in Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and agricultural sectors under the supervision of Bangladesh Bank and with the help of other scheduled banks.

Sources from country’s central bank told banglanews that the banks distributed Tk 53,577 crores as SME loan against the target of Tk 38,558 crores in 2010 which helped women empowerment through their inclusion into mainstream economy.

In 2012, banks distributed Tk 69,753 crores and in 2013, Tk 77,107 crores. The target to distribute SME loan in 2014 is Tk 88,753 crores.

Banglanews investigation showed that banks distributed Tk 14,667 crores against the target of Tk 14,130 crores as agricultural loan in 2012-13 fiscal year.

The target for 2013-14 FY has been fixed is Tk 14,595 crores.

Thanks to the efficient leadership and planning of BB Governor Dr Atiur Rahman for such distinctive success in SME and agricultural sectors, claimed M Masum Kamal Bhuiyan, the executive director of Chittagong branch of the central bank.

He also told banglanews that the rate of poor people in the country in 2000 was 49 percent which reduced to 31 percent in 2010.

The target according to Millennium Development Goal (MDG) was to bring poverty down to 29.5 percent within 2015 but Bangladesh brought down the rate of poor people to 26 percent in 2013, he added.

Masum Kamal Bhuiyan also said that a farmer, at present, can open a bank account with Tk 10 only and get the services. Besides, the farmers are being exempted from bank charges if they transact more than Tk one lakh which is taking the country’s economy towards stability.

BDST: 1253 HRS, JAN 22, 2014