Rangpur: The divisional level ‘Monetary Policy Discussion Meeting’ of Bangladesh Bank (BB) was convened at the conference room of the Rangpur Branch on Thursday afternoon. BB Deputy Governor Dr. Md Habibur Rahman presided over the event, which was organized to gather inputs from various stakeholders for the formulation of the second half-yearly monetary policy for the fiscal year 2025-2026, covering the period from January to June 2026.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the gathering saw the participation of high-ranking government officials, public and private sector bankers, economists, academics, chamber leaders, industrialists, businesspersons, entrepreneurs, and local journalists. Executive Director of BB Rangpur Branch Md Ali Mahmud welcomed attendees, while Director (Incharge) of the Monetary Policy Department Md Sadrul Hasan outlined the meeting’s goals and objectives.
Executive Director of the Monetary Policy Department Mahmud Salahuddin Naser presented on the subject of Monetary Policy, discussing elements such as inflation, bank liquidity, and deposit situations. Director of the Banking Regulation and Policy Department Md Bayazid Sarker emphasized the importance of equitable development, referencing the potential economic benefits of implementing the Teesta Master Plan in the Rangpur region.
During the open discussion, participants addressed the challenges to industrialization in the agro-based economy of Rangpur and offered suggestions for job creation and fair pricing for agricultural products to ease inflation. The discussion also touched on macroeconomic challenges faced when the current interim government took power in 2024, including high inflation, exchange rate depreciation, and tight liquidity conditions.
Bangladesh Bank has put forth a strategy focused on controlling inflation, stabilizing the exchange rate, rebuilding foreign exchange reserves, and promoting good governance in the banking sector. BB Chief Economist Dr. Md Akhtar Hossain discussed these issues and their implications for formulating the monetary policy for the upcoming period.
Dr. Md Habibur Rahman highlighted the importance of monetary policy in achieving price stability and economic growth, indicating that the suggestions from the Rangpur discussions will be instrumental in shaping the central bank’s future policies. He expressed gratitude to the participants for their cooperation and contributions.