Dhaka: The ’47th SAARCFINANCE Governors’ Group Meeting and Symposium’ is set to take place tomorrow at the Hotel InterContinental, organized by the SAARCFINANCE Wing, Research Department of Bangladesh Bank. Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Governor of Bangladesh Bank, will preside over the meeting, as confirmed by a press release.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the event will encompass a full-day symposium alongside the group meeting, attracting delegates from central banks of SAARC member countries, officials from various government ministries, Bangladesh Bank, commercial banks, financial institutions, and research institutions in Bangladesh. The early morning session will see participation from Governors, Finance Secretaries, and representatives from SAARC nations, focusing on macro-financial policy issues relevant to the South Asian region’s macroeconomic landscape.
The symposium will commence with Dr. Sayera Younus, Executive Director (Research) at Bangladesh Bank, delivering the Welcome Remarks. Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank, will present the keynote speech. Additionally, Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Secretary, Finance Division, Ministry of Finance, and Dasho Penjore, Governor, Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, will address the symposium as special guests. Chief Guest Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur will give the inaugural remarks.
The symposium will be segmented into two working sessions, where representatives from SAARC countries’ central banks will present their country papers on the theme “Financial Inclusion and Central Banking: Bridging Gaps in the SAARC Region.” This meeting serves as a crucial platform for enhancing regional financial cooperation among SAARC member central banks and facilitates dialogue on macro-financial issues while reviewing collaborative initiatives.
Discussions will extend to the SAARCFINANCE Roadmap for 2025-2030, sustainable finance efforts, and updates to the SAARCFINANCE Scholarship Scheme, involving Bangladesh Bank and Ministry of Finance officials in PhD and Masters Programs. The agenda will emphasize regional commitment to financial stability, knowledge exchange, and inclusive growth, with expected outcomes promoting regional integration and strengthening institutional capacity.
The SAARCFINANCE Network was conceived during the 10th SAARC Summit in Colombo on July 29, 1998, with the Heads of State/government from the SAARC Region agreeing to establish a “Network of Central Bank Governors and Finance Secretaries of the SAARC Region (SAARCFINANCE)” to foster dialogues on macro-economic policies and share experiences and ideas.