Bangladesh a 'silicon valley of pro-poor financial innovation': Ex-BB governor Atiur

Bangladesh is a 'silicon valley of pro-poor financial innovation', former Bangladesh Bank governor Atiur Rahman has said.

Chief Economics Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 24 Sept 2016, 09:02 PM
Updated : 24 Sept 2016, 09:02 PM

He was speaking at an International Monetary Fund seminar on financial inclusion in Washington on Thursday (local time).

Rahman told bdnews24.com on phone that he spoke on Bangladesh's experiences on 'financial inclusion and inclusive growth.

“In many ways Bangladesh has been the Silicon valley of pro-poor financial innovation, embracing and empowering the people at the base of the pyramid, mostly through bottom up experimentation," Rahman said.

Rahman argued that Bangladesh’s existing social cohesion and broad-based empowerment owes a great deal to innovative financial inclusion campaign, driven by the central bank.

He also credited the government for providing this space for innovation by giving highest emphasis on digitalisation.

Director of IMF for Asia and Pacific Changyong Rhee, who chaired the seminar, appreciated the former Bangladesh Bank governor for his 'out of box' policy interventions during his tenure.