Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostakur Rahman has announced that no lobbying will be tolerated in selecting entrepreneurs for the central bank's declared 60,000 crore BDT stimulus package. Addressing past trends where influential individuals dominated such packages, he confirmed that final selections will be guided by successful entrepreneurs rather than bureaucrats or bankers.
The Governor made these remarks as the chief guest during a view-exchange meeting with stakeholders titled "Implementation of Bangladesh Bank's Stimulus Package for Private Sector Development," held on Saturday (September 19) afternoon at the Bangladesh Bank Rangpur Office auditorium.
Governor Mostakur Rahman emphasized efforts to keep the selection process transparent and free from political or administrative influence, warning that any lobbying or external recommendation for financing would be treated as a disqualification for the applicant. This policy will be strictly implemented across every upazila in the country.
He noted that following the July mass uprising, the government prioritized involving youth in economic activities. Under the stimulus package, initial loans will be distributed to 5,000 new young entrepreneurs nationwide. Applicants under the age of 28 with viable business ideas can apply for up to 20 lakh BDT, which consists of a 10 lakh BDT bank loan and a 10 lakh BDT grant.
Highlighting industrial development in Northern Bangladesh, the Governor revealed that 3,000 crore BDT has been allocated within the stimulus package for agro-based industries. Under this allocation:
Agricultural Production: Maximum loan limit of 30 lakh BDT.
Storage, Transport, Marketing, and Infrastructure: Up to 40 crore BDT.
Agro-processing and Manufacturing: Up to 40 crore BDT.
Agricultural Exports: Up to 15 crore BDT.
Additionally, a special financing facility of 2,000 crore BDT has been earmarked for the export-oriented frozen food sector.
The meeting was chaired by Salah Uddin, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank's Rangpur Office. Other key speakers included Additional Director of the central bank's head office Mohammad Salahuddin Tapadar, Director of the Rangpur Office AKM Kamruzzaman, President of the Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Emdadul Hossain, President of the Women Chamber Shahanaj Parveen Shaheen, Director of the Metropolitan Chamber Najmul Alam Naju, proprietor of Nasik Plan & Pot Shahinur Islam, and local farmer Mahir Islam, alongside business leaders from all eight districts of the Rangpur division.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Farhaduzzaman Faruk / Rangpur Bureau • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
