Bangladesh Economic Review 2023

CHAPTER FIVE
MONETARY MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL MARKET
DEVELOPMENT

A cautious contractionary monetary and credit programme has been formulated for FY 2022-23 to
support the economic recovery process in the coming days as well as mitigate inflationary and
exchange rate pressures. Reserve money growth has been set at 14.00 percent while the broad
money growth ceiling has been set at 11.50 percent, consistent with the real GDP growth target and
CPI-based average inflation ceiling. For FY 2022-23, growth of net foreign assets (NFA) and net
domestic assets (NDA) have been projected by Bangladesh Bank to -11.9 percent and 17.9 percent
respectively. According to the latest available data, broad money, reserve money and domestic
credit actually grew by 8.77 percent, 8.71 percent and 15.58 percent respectively in February 2023
compared to 9.45 percent, 7.25 percent and 13.32 percent respectively in the same month of the
previous year. It is noted that, growth of broad money declined due to the sharp fall of the growth of
net foreign assets (NFA) until February 2023. The growth of NFA in the banking system decelerated
further to -13.34 percent in February 2023 from 0.26 percent at the end of February 2022 due to
negative trade balance and downward trend in remittances. The growth of NDA stood at 15.14
percent at the end of February 2023 compared to 12.43 percent in the same month of the previous
year. Considering the necessary outlays for ongoing mega projects and the COVID-19 related
stimulus packages of the Government, the public sector credit growth ceiling has been set at 37.66
percent for FY 2022-23. On the other hand, the private sector credit growth target has been set at
14.10 percent. However, the public and private sector credit experienced 33.87 percent and 12.14
percent annual growth respectively in February 2023 against the actual growth of 28.94 percent
and 10.87 percent respectively in February 2022. The recent trends in weighted average lending
and deposit rates show upward movement. The weighted average lending rate increased
consistently and stood at 7.27 percent at the end of February 2023. At the same time, the weighted
average deposit rate although declined a little and stood at 3.97 percent of end June 2022 from 4.02
percent of end February 2022, later it increased much and reached to 4.31 percent at end of
February 2023. Broad Index (DSEX) of Dhaka Stock Exchange Limited was 6,376.94 points at the
end of June 2022, which decreased by 2.51 percent to 6,216.95 points on 28 February 2023. The
overall price index of Chattogram Stock Exchange was 18,727.51 points at the end of June 2022,
which decreased by 2.14 percent to 18,326.02 points on 28 February 2023.

is expected to support the economic recovery

The FY 2022-23 monetary policy has been
process in the
formulated in order to discourage unproductive
financial flows to tame the demand-side
pressures without circumventing the required coming days as well as mitigate inflationary and
flow of funds to the productive sectors easing exchange rate pressures. The last monetary and
supply-side conditions and supporting the credit programmes were designed in line with the
country’s long-term growth aspirations. Thus, the targeted real GDP growth and CPI inflation as
formulation of a contractionary cautious outlined in the national budget for FY 2022-23.
monetary and credit programme for FY 2022-23
To achieve monetary policy objectives,
Bangladesh Bank (BB) has taken several policy

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Bangladesh Economic Review 2023

measures during July-December 2022 (the first for FY 2022-23, commensurate with BB’s
half of FY 2022-23, H1FY 2022-23). Of these supply-side interventions to support required
important measures are: increasing the repo rate investment and employment generation for
from 5.75 percent to 6.00 percent, relaxing the achieving targeted GDP growth (6.50 %).
lending rate cap for consumer loans, including According to the latest available data, the public
credit cards, and removing specific floor for the and the private sector credit growth stood at
deposit rate; providing all sorts of production 33.87 percent and 12.14 percent respectively in
enhancing supports in terms of refinancing/pre- February 2023. Based on the public and private
financing lines for agriculture, Cottage, Micro, sector credit expansion, the domestic credit
Small, and Medium Sized Enterprises growth has been set at 18.49 percent for FY
(CMSMEs), import substitutes, and export- 2022-23 and at the end of February 2023 it
oriented industries; and continuing the financial indeed stood at 15.58 percent. The target of NFA
support by providing enough refinance facilities growth of the banking system for FY 2022-23
to implement the Government’s ongoing stimulus has been set to be in the negative territory by
package as well as strengthening the economic 11.90 percent as the overall BOP position is
activities and employment generation. expected to remain in a deficit due mainly to
adversity in the financial account sector despite
Reserve money growth has been set at 14.00
prediction of improved inflows of inward
percent while the broad money growth ceiling
remittances.
has been set at 11.50 percent, consistent with the
real GDP growth target and CPI-based average
inflation ceiling. According to the latest available Money and Credit Situation
data, reserve money and broad money actually Growth Trends of Monetary Aggregates
grew by 8.71 percent and 8.77 percent
respectively in February 2023. Considering the At the end of February of FY 2022-23, the year-
necessary outlays for ongoing mega projects and on-year growth of reserve money, broad money
the COVID-19 related stimulus packages of the (M2) and narrow money (M1) stood at 8.71
Government, the public sector credit growth percent, 8.77 percent and 17.62 percent
ceiling has been set at 37.66 percent for FY respectively. Table 5.1 shows the growth trends
2022-23. On the other hand, the private sector of monetary aggregates.
credit growth target has been set at 14.10 percent

Table 5.1: Growth Trends of Monetary Aggregates

(Year-on-year growth)

Indicator 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 Feb'22 Feb'23

Narrow Money (M1) 13.01 6.17 7.22 20.11 14.49 13.32 12.47 17.62

Broad Money (M2) 10.88 9.24 9.88 12.64 13.62 9.43 9.45 8.77

Reserve Money (RM) 16.28 4.04 5.32 15.56 22.35 -0.26 7.25 8.71

Source: Bangladesh Bank

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Bangladesh Economic Review 2023

Narrow Money (M1) Broad Money (M2)

Narrow money (M1) increased by 13.32 percent Broad money (M2) stood at Tk. 17,08,122.2
during FY 2021-22, which was 14.49 percent in crore in FY 2021-22 as compared to Tk.
FY 2020-21. Up to February 2023 of FY 2022- 15,60,895.3 crore of FY 2020-21. Up to February
23, M1 increased by 17.62 percent, which was 2023 of FY 2022-23, M2 stood at Tk.
12.47 percent in the same period of the previous 17,63,032.0 crore with a growth (year-on-year)
fiscal year. Of the components of the M1, the of 8.77 percent as compared to 9.45 percent
growth of currency notes and coins with the growth in the same period of the previous fiscal
public and demand deposit have stood at 21.39 year. Time deposit increased (year-on-year) by
percent and 12.62 percent respectively up to 6.13 percent at the end of February 2023, which
February 2023, which was 14.53 percent and was 8.59 percent in the same period of the
9.84 percent respectively in the same period of previous fiscal year. Table 5.2 shows the
the previous fiscal year. movement and growth of the components of
broad money (M2) and domestic credit. Figure
5.1 and Figure 5.2 show the growth of Broad
Money and its components and percentage share
of the components of Broad Money respectively.

Figure 5.1: Composition of Broad Money

(Year-on-Year Percentage Change)

25

20

15
(%)

10

0
JUNE, 2019 JUNE, 2020 JUNE, 2021 JUNE, 2022 FEBRUARY, FEBRUARY,
2022 2023

Narrow money (M1) Broad money (M2) Time deposit

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Bangladesh Economic Review 2023

Table 5.2: Movement and Growth of the Components of M2 and Domestic Credit

Indicators June 2019 June 2020 June 2021 June 2022 February February
2022 2023
End period stock (In crore Taka)
1. Net foreign assets of the banking system 272399.5 297336.2 382337.5 364298.8 362666.4 314276.0
2. Net domestic assets of the banking system 947212.0 1076398.9 1178557.8 1343823.4 1258270.3 1448756.0
a. Domestic credit 1146884.7 1307633.7 1439899.0 1671749.1 1546240.3 1787185.6
a.1. Government sector (net)1 113273.4 181150.7 221025.9 283314.6 231467.5 309866.6
a.2. Public sector (other)1 23355.6 29215.1 30017.8 37198.9 35916.9 43249.7
a.3. Private sector1 1010255.7 1097267.9 1188855.3 1351235.6 1278856 1434069
b. Other assets (net) -199672.7 -231234.8 -261341.2 -327925.7 -287970.0 -338429.6
3. Narrow money 273293.4 328263.9 375828.7 425904.7 371773.7 437298.4
a. Currency notes and coins with the public 154287 192114.5 209517.7 236448.9 212270.2 257667.6
b. Demand deposit2 119006.4 136149.4 166311 189455.8 159503.5 179630.8
4. Time deposit 946318.1 1045471.2 1185066.6 1282217.5 1249163.0 1325733.6
5. Broad money [(1)+(2)] or [(3)+(4)] 1219611.5 1373735.1 1560895.3 1708122.2 1620936.7 1763032.0
Year-on-year percentage change
1. Net foreign assets of the banking system 2.92 9.15 28.59 -4.72 0.26 -13.34
2. Net domestic assets of the banking system 12.06 13.64 9.49 14.02 12.43 15.14
a. Domestic credit 12.26 14.02 10.11 16.10 13.32 15.58
a.1. Government sector (net) 19.37 59.92 22.01 28.18 28.94 33.87
a.2. Public sector (other) 21.64 25.09 2.75 23.92 14.09 20.42
a.3. Private sector 11.32 8.61 8.35 13.66 10.87 12.14
b. Other assets (net) 13.24 15.81 13.02 25.48 17.39 17.52
3. Narrow money 7.22 20.11 14.49 13.32 12.47 17.62
a. Currency notes and coins with the public 9.49 24.52 9.06 12.85 14.53 21.39
b. Demand deposit 4.41 14.41 22.15 13.92 9.84 12.62
4. Time deposit 10.67 10.48 13.35 8.20 8.59 6.13
5. Broad money 9.88 12.64 13.62 9.43 9.45 8.77
Source: Bangladesh Bank. Note: 1. including accrued interest, 2. including deposits of other financial institutions and government agencies.

Figure 5.2: Percentage Share of the Compositions of Broad Money

100%
Share (in percent)

80%
77.59 76.10 75.92 75.07 75.20
60%

40%

20% 9.76 9.91 10.65 11.09 10.19

12.65 13.98 13.42 13.84 14.62
0%
June'19 June'20 June'21 June'22 Feb'23

Currency outside Bank Demand Deposit Time Deposit

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Bangladesh Economic Review 2023

Domestic Credit Reserve Money

The growth of domestic credit stood at 16.10 Reserve money stood at Tk. 3,47,162.1 crore at
percent in FY 2021-22 which was 10.11 percent the end of FY 2021-22, which was Tk.
in FY 2020-21. Domestic credit increased (year- 3,48,071.8 crore in FY 2020-21. Reserve money
on-year) by 15.58 percent up to February 2023 of decreased by 0.26 percent in FY 2021-22
FY 2022-23, which is higher than 13.32 percent compared to 22.35 percent growth of the
growth in the same period of the previous fiscal previous fiscal year. In FY 2022-23, reserve
year. Of which private sector credit growth stood money increased by 8.71 percent up to February
at 12.14 percent at the end of February 2023 2023 compared to the same period of the
against 10.87 percent in the same period of the previous fiscal year and stood at Tk. 3,50,346.9
previous fiscal year. The net credit to the crore. On the other hand, net foreign assets
government increased by 33.87 percent at the end decreased by 5.22 percent at the end of FY 2021-
of February 2023 which was increased by 28.94 22 compared to the 28.27 percent growth at the
percent in the same period of the previous year. end of previous fiscal year. In FY 2022-23, net
At the end of February 2023, the share of foreign assets decreased by 18.53 percent up to
government to total domestic credit stood at February 2023 compared to the 1.34 percent
17.34 percent. Private sector credit to total increase in the same period of the previous fiscal
domestic credit stood at 80.24 percent which was year. Components and sources of reserve money
80.83 percent at the end June 2021. and its changes over time have been shown in
Table 5.3 and Table 5.4 respectively.

Table 5.3: Components of Reserve Money and their Changes

June, June, June, June, Feb, Feb,

Particular 2019 2020 2021 2022 2022 2023
End Period (In Crore Tk.)
1. Currency issued 170387.1 208094.1 226888.3 256182.8 232874.6 282494.8
2. Balances of scheduled banks with BB 75012.1 75768.3 120597 90382.9 88916.7 67254.8
3. Reserves of other financial institutions with the BB 788.5 621 586.5 596.4 493.8 597.3
4. Reserve Money [(1)+(2)+(3)] 246187.7 284483.4 348071.8 347162.1 322285.1 350346.9
Percentage Change (Year-on-year)
1. Currency issued 2.43 22.13 9.03 12.91 14.50 21.31
2. Balances of scheduled banks with BB 7.30 1.01 59.17 -25.05 -7.91 -24.36
3. Reserves of other financial institutions with the BB 14.75 -21.24 -5.56 1.69 -11.62 20.96
4. Reserve Money 4.04 15.56 22.35 -0.26 7.25 8.71
Source: Bangladesh Bank

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Bangladesh Economic Review 2023

Table 5.4: Sources of Reserve Money and their Changes

Particular June, 2019 June, 2020 June, 2021 June, 2022 Feb, 2022 Feb, 2023
End Period (In Crore Tk.)
1. Net foreign assets of BB 257195.4 286040.9 366917.3 347757.7 351813.1 286636.7
2. Net domestic assets of BB -11007.7 -1557.5 -18845.5 -595.6 -29528.0 63710.2
a. BB’s Claims 43745.8 63776.4 45294.6 80375.4 32893.6 175505.9
a.1. Claims on Government sector (net) 31189 42117.1 17285.5 54930.0 8058.5 108685.3
a.2. Claims on other public sector 2380.4 2551.9 3218.1 3435.6 3485.2 3620.2
a.3. BB's claims on DMBs 5386.9 13764.9 18952.3 16073.9 15583.3 56269
a.4. BB's claims on NBDCs 4789.5 5342.5 5838.7 5935.9 5766.6 6931.4
b. Other assets (net) -54753.5 -65333.9 -64140.1 -80971.0 -62421.6 -111795.7
3. Reserve Money [(1)+(2)] 246187.7 284483.4 348071.8 347162.1 322285.1 350346.9
Percentage Change (Year-on-year)
1. Net foreign assets of BB 1.45 11.22 28.27 -5.22 1.34 -18.53
2. Net domestic assets of BB -44.31 -85.85 1109.98 -96.84 -36.71 -315.76
a. Domestic credit 22.64 45.79 -28.98 77.45 104.55 433.56
a.1. Claims on Government sector (net) 38.17 35.04 -58.96 217.78 -171.21 1248.70
a.2. Claims on other public sector 0.53 7.20 26.11 6.76 9.50 3.87
a.3. BB's claims on DMBs -3.50 155.53 37.69 -15.19 -17.29 261.09
a.4. BB's claims on NBDCs -6.93 11.55 9.29 1.66 7.28 20.20
b. other assets (net) -1.23 19.32 -1.83 26.24 -0.50 79.10
3. Reserve Money 5.32 15.56 22.35 -0.26 7.25 8.71
Source: Bangladesh Bank

Money Multiplier
Claims on government sector (net) increased by
217.78 percent in FY 2021-22 compared to 58.96 Due to higher growth of broad money compared
percent in FY 2020-21. Claims on deposit money to reserve money growth, money multiplier
banks (DMBs) decreased by 15.19 percent in FY increased to 4.920 in FY 2021-22 from 4.484 of
2021-22, which was increased by 37.69 percent FY 2020-21. During FY 2022-23, money
in FY 2020-21. In FY 2022-23, claims on multiplier stood at 5.032 at the end of February
government sector (net) increased by 1,248.70 2023. Ratios of money multiplier as reserve-
percent at the end of February 2023, which was deposit ratio and currency-deposit ratio stood at
decreased by 171.21 percent at the same period 0.062 and 0.171 respectively at the end of
of the previous fiscal year. At the same period, February 2023.
claims on deposit money banks (DMBs)
Income Velocity of Money
increased by 261.09 percent, which was
decreased by 17.29 percent in the same period of Income velocity of money increased to 2.33 in
the previous fiscal year. During this time, claims FY 2021-22 which was 2.26 at the end of FY
on other public sector increased by 3.87 percent, 2020-21. The trends of income velocity of money
which was increased by 9.50 in the same period and broad money as a percent of GDP have been
of the previous fiscal year. shown in Table 5.5. The movement of broad
money as percent of GDP has been shown in
Figure 5.3.

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Bangladesh Economic Review 2023

Table 5.5: Income Velocity of Money

(In billion Tk.)
GDP (current market price) Broad Money Broad Money Income velocity of
FY
(in billion Taka) (In billion Taka) as percent of GDP money (GDP/M2)

2016-17 23243.1 10160.8 2.29 43.72

2017-18 26392.5 11099.8 2.38 42.06
2018-19 29514.3 12196.1 2.42 41.32
2019-20 31704.7 13737.4 2.31 43.33
2020-21 35301.8 15609.0 2.26 44.22
2021-22 39717.2 17081.2 2.33 43.01
Source: Bangladesh Bank and BBS.
Figure 5.3: Movement of M2 as Percent of GDP

44.5 44.22
44 43.72
43.33
43.5 43.01
43
42.06
Percent (%)

42.5
42
41.32
41.5
41
40.5
40
39.5
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22

that it increased consistently and stood at 7.27

Rationalising the Rate of Interest/Charges percent at the end of February 2023. At the same
With a view to rationalising the rate of interest on time, the weighted average deposit rate although
deposit and lending through competitive declined a little and stood at 3.97 percent of end
environment among the banks, Bangladesh Bank June 2022 from 4.02 percent of end February
has been continuing in providing instructions to 2022, later it increased much and reached to 4.31
banks on a regular basis for taking proper percent at end of February 2023. Consequently,
initiatives in FY 2022-23. In order to rationalise the interest rate spread between lending and
the rate of interest in other sectors including deposit rate increased and reached to 3.12 percent
productive sector, banks are advised to limit the at end June 2022 from 3.08 percent of end
difference between lending and deposit rates or February 2022. The same decreased later and
spread to below 4 percent except credit card and stood at 2.96 percent at end of February 2023. In
consumer credit. Besides, the maximum rate of enhancement of the market-based interest rate,
interest/profit on unclassified loans/investment is increasing the policy rate several times by
set at 9 percent except credit card. The recent Bangladesh Bank and reduction of excess
trends in weighted average lending and deposit liquidity in the banking system have played
rates show upward movement. The weighted significant role. The monthly trends of weighted
average lending rate showed some constancy and average lending and deposit rates and the interest
reached to 7.09 percent at the end of June 2022 rate spread from February 2021 to February 2023
from 7.10 percent of end February 2022. After have been shown in Figure 5.4.

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Bangladesh Economic Review 2023

Figure 5.4: Weighted Average Deposit and Lending Interest Rate

10.0

8.0

6.0
Percent (%)

4.0

2.0

0.0

Oct-21

Aug-22

Oct-22
Jun-21

Aug-21

Nov-21

Jun-22

Nov-22
Feb-21

Apr-21
May-21

Jul-21

Sep-21

Feb-22

Apr-22
May-22

Jul-22

Sep-22

Feb-23
Dec-21
Mar-21

Dec-22
Jan-22

Mar-22

Jan-23
Interest Rate Spread Weighted Average Deposit Rate Weighted Average Lending Rate

Source: Bangladesh Bank.

Banking Sector
These banks are: Ansar VDP Unnayan Bank,
As on February 2023, there are 61 scheduled
Karmasangsthan Bank, Grameen Bank, Jubilee
banks in Bangladesh. Among 61 scheduled
Bank and Palli Shanchay Bank. As of February
banks, there are 6 state owned commercial banks,
2023, structure of the scheduled bank system by
3 specialized banks, 43 private commercial banks
types of banks and their share in total deposits
and 9 foreign commercial banks. In addition, 5
and assets (as of December 2022) are shown in
more non-scheduled banks are also operating.
Table 5.6.
Table 5.6: Structure of the Banking System in Bangladesh
(End February 2023)

No. of No. of Branches Percentage of Percentage of

Type of Banks Banks Total Assets* Total
Urban Rural Total Deposit*
State-owned Commercial Banks 6 1769 2054 3823 23.35 24.62
(SOCBs)
State-owned Specialised Banks 3 301 1222 1523 2.19 2.65
(SBs)
Private Commercial Banks 43 3611 2137 5748 68.71 68.02
(PCBs)
Foreign Commercial Banks 9 63 - 63 5.75 4.71
(FCBs)
Total 61 5744 5413 11157 100 100
Source: Bangladesh Bank, *= as per December, 2022 data.
the total deposits of the banking system, 68.02
In Bangladesh, 61 scheduled banks are
percent and 24.62 percent are belonged to the
performing their banking business with 11,157
PCBs and SOCBs respectively.
branches as on February 2023. Of these total
bank branches, the number of urban and rural Non-bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs)
branches are 5,744 (51.48%) and 5,413 (48.52%) As of February 2023, a total of 35 financial
respectively. As on December 2022, of all the institutions are operating in 40 districts of the
total assets of banking system, 68.71 percent and country through a total of 274 branches, of them
23.35 percent are included to the PCBs and 78 branches are located in Dhaka and the
SOCBs respectively. As of December 2022, of remaining 196 branches are located in 39

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Bangladesh Economic Review 2023

districts. As of December 2022, the paid-up Financial Inclusion

capital and reserves of NBFIs stood at Tk.
Financial inclusion is one of the tools for
13,081.82 crore; of this, the paid-up capital is Tk.
developing countries to move forward in the
8,861.04 crore. As of December 2022,
competitive global economic reality. With a view
shareholders’ equity of NBFIs stood at Tk.
to building a sustainable economic infrastructure
6,077.43 crore, total assets at Tk. 92,001.40 crore
of the country and realising the importance of
and total deposits at Tk. 44,355.10 crore. As of
financial inclusion, Bangladesh Bank has been
December 2022, the total amount of loans/leases
engaged in the exploration and promotion of
disbursed by NBFIs was Tk. 70,435.70 crore; of
innovative and successful policy initiatives to
this, the total amount of classified loan was Tk.
bring the financially excluded marginal
16,821.49 crore which is 23.88 percent of the
population under the umbrella of financial
total loan/lease amount.
inclusion. The major policy initiatives taken by
Bangladesh Bank issues various directives Bangladesh Bank to promote financial inclusion
(guidelines, circulars and circular letters) from are shown in Annexure 5.1.
time to time to strengthen the management
Banking, Monetary and Credit Policy
structure of financial institutions, ensure
Reforms
transparency, risk reduction and corporate good
governance. As part of that, there are product Legal Reforms
guidelines for financial institutions, cost of funds To maintain uninterrupted supply of funds
or base rate determination method, guidelines on required for the continuity of power generation,
capital adequacy and market discipline, Bangladesh Bank, in consultation with the
integrated risk management policy and directives government under the provision of section 121 of
on corporate governance. Some significant policy the Bank Company Act, 1991, issued notification
steps taken by Bangladesh Bank in FY 2022-23 through BRPD dated 26 July 2022, exempting
are as follows: loan adjustment through one-time banks from complying with provision of 26B (1)
exit, simplifying the loan/lease/investment of the Bank Company Act, 1991 for the next 06
classification policy to facilitate customers months in lending to the power sector for
affected by natural disaster including flood, importing fuel and other raw materials. To
rationalizing the rate of interest/profit on deposits maintain uninterrupted supply of funds required
and loans/leases/investments, determining the for the continuity of power generation,
eligibility and suitability conditions of directors Bangladesh Bank, in consultation with the
in the appointment of directors, preservation of government under the provision of section 121 of
information/documents in the loan files properly, the Bank Company Act, 1991, issued notification
customer service and complaint management through BRPD circular dated 8 November 2022,
policy, policy regarding imposition of exempting banks from complying with provision
fees/charges/commissions on various services, of 26B(1) of the Bank Company Act, 1991 for
etc. Besides, for cash flow of individuals/ the next 5 years in lending to the coal-based
organisations being adversely affected by long- power producers to meet up the expenses of
term negative impact of corona and various out- purchase or import of coal and other raw
of-control factors including the state of war in materials used for setting up coal-based power
outside world, a master circular has also been plants and electricity generation.
issued regarding reschedule/ restructure of
loans/leases/investments for proper management
of classified loans.

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Bangladesh Economic Review 2023

Reforms in State Owned Commercial Banks Steps to mitigate impacts of COVID-19 in the
Money and Financial markets
Bangladesh Bank has been monitoring the overall
performance of state-owned commercial banks • Overnight repo interest rate has been changed
(except Bangladesh Development Bank Ltd.) under by Bangladesh Bank twice in FY 2022-23.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in FY Firstly, the repo rate was increased by 25
2022-23 like the previous years. Bangladesh Bank basis points and re-fixed at 5.75 percent from
has set various terms and targets in MOU for banks 5.50 percent on 2 October 2022. Later, the
to improve their efficiency in asset liability repo rate was increased again by 25 basis
management, reduce classified loans, ensure points and re-fixed at 6.00 percent from 5.75
recovery against classified loans, minimise percent on 16 January 2023.
operating expenses, provide digital banking
• In order to rationalise policy interest corridor,
services and to strengthen internal control system
the reverse repo rate has been revised by 25
of banks. Apart from these, to improve the quality
basis points increase and re-fixed to 4.25
of assets of banks, some other conditions have
percent from the existing 4.00 percent, with
been imposed in MOU in case of purchasing
effect from 16 January 2023.
Foreign Documentary Bill (FDBP), creation of
forced loan/PAD/demand loan and rescheduling of • Ensuring proper liquidity management of
forced loan/PAD/demand loan in long term. In this Shari’ah based banks and to further
context, the compliance of terms/conditions set in strengthen the Islamic financial system, 14
the MOU is regularly monitored by Bangladesh days tenor liquidity facility named ‘Islamic
Bank. Banks Liquidity Facility (IBLF)’ under the
Mudaraba contract against Sukuk has been
Money and Financial Market Reforms
introduced on 5 December 2022.
With a view to strengthening and updating the
risk management activities of the banks in line • Besides, to meet the interim liquidity
with the changing environment, ‘Risk shortages of Shari’ah based banks, under the
Management Guidelines for Banks’ introduced in Mudaraba agreement against collateral of
2012 has been revised. In order to ensure sound claims of banks on the government arising
risk management practices in the banks, from subsidies or incentives to be received
instructions regarding specifying roles and against special schemes/programs,
responsibilities of the Board of Directors, Board ‘Mudarabah Liquidity Support (MLS)’ for 7,
Risk Management Committee, Executive Risk 14 and 28 days has been introduced on 05
Management Committee and Chief Risk Officer February 2023.
(CRO) along with restructuring the risk • Bangladesh Bank, using own fund, structured
management framework of banks have been a revolving refinance scheme worth Tk.
included in the said guideline. Besides, initiatives 15,000.0 crore titled ‘Refinance scheme for
have been taken to establish a well-organised providing working capital loan/investment
Risk Appetite Framework for balancing between facilities in large industrial and service
the risks taken and business targets to be sector’ to ensure liquidity supply in banks
achieved by the banks. The implementation of under the Government announced
Basel III has been shown in Annexure 5.2. loan/investment facility worth Tk. 30,000.0
crore for the distressed industrial and service
sector companies (except CMSME) due to
breakout of COVID-19. Under this scheme,

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Bangladesh Economic Review 2023

43 banks and 8 non-bank financial Bangladesh Securities and Exchange

institutions received refinance facility worth Commission (Qualified Investor Offer by
Tk. 10,959.02 crore as on February 2023. Small Capital Company) Rules, 2022.
• With a view to facilitating transfer of
• The financial institutions are directed to
ownership of listed and unlisted companies,
ensure the proper utilisation of the loans
branding and exposure of companies,
given under implementing financial incentive
facilitating alternative investment vehicles
package announced by the government to
for potential investors, BSEC has approved
deal with the crisis caused by COVID-19.
Dhaka Stock Exchange (Alternative Trading
Development of Payments System Board) Regulations, 2022 and accordingly on
A safe and efficient payment system is crucial in 04th January 2023 Alternative Trading Board
maintaining financial stability and effective was inaugurated.
performance of the financial system. To establish • According to the instructions of the
a public interest oriented modern, effective and government, on 10 October 2022 the
capital based payment system in the country and Treasury Bond (T-Bond) trading platform of
to ease ongoing financial transactions of the government securities was launched by
mass, Bangladesh Bank has implemented various Dhaka Stock Exchange Limited and
reforms activities which have been shown in Chattogram Stock Exchange PLC.
Annexure 5.3.
• BSEC issued an Order on 15 November 2022
Presentation of Money Laundering and in relation to the transaction of listed
Combating Financing of Terrorism securities by the clients of block market at 10
Some of the activities taken by the Bangladesh percent lower than the floor price under the
Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) during FY existing circuit breaker system.
2021-22 in order to prevent of money laundering • Commission issued a Notification on 23
and combating financing of terrorism are shown August 2022 regarding Bangladesh
in Annexure 5.4. Securities and Exchange Commission
(Securities Market Shari’ah Advisory
Capital Market
Council) Rules, 2022.
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange • Commission issued a Notification on 22
Commission (BSEC) has taken a number of September 2022 in order to amend the
steps, including reform of laws and regulations, Depository (User) Regulations, 2003.
for the overall development of the capital market. • Commission issued a Notification on 3
Some of the activities undertaken by BSEC till October 2022 in relation to the issuance of
February 2023 of FY 2022-23 are briefly capital through bonus shares or stock
mentioned below: dividend.
• Dhaka Stock Exchange Limited and • Commission issued a Directive on 13
Chittagong Stock Exchange PLC have November 2022 regarding extension of time
launched a separate platform (SME Platform) to fulfill the requirement of maintenance of
in 2021 for the small capital companies to minimum Net Worth by Merchant Bankers.
raise capital by issuing securities. With a • Commission has issued a Notification on 28
view to modernising the transactions of SME December 2022 in respect to the Bangladesh
institutions, BSEC has issued a Notification Securities and Exchange Commission
on 12th September 2022 regarding (Insider Trading) Rules, 2022.

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Bangladesh Economic Review 2023

• According to BSEC Directive it was growth compared to 30 June, 2022. Total market
instructed to pay the accrued interest of capitalisation of all listed securities was Tk.
Consolidated Customers Accounts to the 5,17,781.69 crore in June 30, 2022 which stands
respective BO account holders on at Tk. 7,63,009.14 crore on February 28, 2023,
proportionate basis. representing 47.36 percent increase. DSE Broad
Index (DSEX) has decreased from 6,376.94
Capital Market Situation
points in June 2022 to 6,216.95 points in
Dhaka Stock Exchange Ltd (DSE) February 28, 2023, showing 2.51 percent
The total number of listed securities has decrease. The P/E ratio was 14.33 in February
increased from 625 in June 2022 to 655 in 2023 whereas it was 16.15 in February 2022.
February 28, 2023. On 28 February, 2023, total Details of Securities Turnover are below in the
issued capital of all listed securities stands at Tk. Table 5.7 and Figure 5.5.
4,13,324.39 crore registering 171.64 percent

Table 5.7: Securities Trading Information of Dhaka Stock Exchange

Year/Month No. of Listed No. of Issued Market Securities DSE
End Securities IPOs Capital Capitalisation Traded in Board
(Including Mutual (Tk in crore) (Tk in crore) Value Index
Funds & Debentures) (Tk in crore)
2016-17 563 9 116551.08 380100.10 180522.21 5656.05
2017-18 572 11 121966.51 384734.78 159085.19 5405.46
2018-19 584 15 126857.48 399816.38 145965.54 5421.62
2019-20 589 5 129981.40 311966.98 78042.78 3989.09
2020-21 609 15 139734.40 514282.13 254697.04 6150.48
2021-22 625 16 152159.28 517781.69 318607.02 6376.94
2022-23* 655 6 413324.39 763009.14 138242.76 6216.95
Source: Dhaka Stock Exchange Ltd, * Up to February, 2023, ** No. of IPOs based on trading date
*** Issued Capital & Market Capital increased in FY 2022-23 since new government treasury bond’s trading started from October, 2022.

Figure 5.5: DSE Market Capitilisation and Indices

900000 7000
800000 6000
700000
5000
600000
In crore Tk.

500000 4000
Index

400000 3000
300000
2000
200000
100000 1000

0 0
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23*

Market Capitalization (Tk in crore) DSE Board Index

* Up to February, 2023.

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Bangladesh Economic Review 2023

Chattogram Stock Exchange (CSE) as on 30th June 2022 was Tk. 4,48,415.93 crore,
which increased by 67.15 percent to Tk.
The number of securities listed on Chattogram
7,49,540.50 crore at the end of trading on 28th
Stock Exchange increased from 381 in June 2022
February 2023. The CSE All Share Price Index
to 630 on 28 February 2023. Issued capital of all
was 18,727.51 points at the end of June 2022,
securities stood at Tk. 4,14,084.70 crore as on 28
which decreased by 2.14 percent to 18,326.02
February 2023, which is 304.63 percent higher
points on 28 February 2023. Details of securities
than Tk. 1,02,335.70 crore as on 30 June 2022.
turnover are shown below in the Table 5.8 and
The market capitalisation of all securities of CSE
Figure 5.6.

Table 5.8: Securities Trading Information of Chattogram Stock Exchange

Year No. of listed Number Issued Market Total Turnover value CSE All
Securities of IPO Capital Capitalisation of All Securities Share Price
(Tk. in crore) (Tk. in crore) (Tk. in crore) Index

2016-17 303 9 60657.21 311324.29 11807.53 15580.37

2017-18 312 12 65405.91 312352.17 10985.06 16558.50
2018-19 326 16 71289.43 329330.28 8480.01 16634.21
2019-20 332 4 73589.76 244756.71 5307.82 11332.58
2020-21 348 14 83365.26 438365.33 11691.38 17795.04
2021-22 381 12 102335.71 448415.94 12069.82 18727.51
2022-23* 630 8 414084.71 749540.50 3902.95 18326.02
Source: CSE * Up to February 2023.

Figure 5.6: CSE Market Capitalisation and All Share Price Index

800000 20000

700000 18000
16000
600000
14000
500000 12000
(In crore Tk.)

(Index)

400000 10000

300000 8000
6000
200000
4000
100000 2000
0 0
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23*

Market Capitalisation All Share Price Index

* Up to February 2023.

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Bangladesh Economic Review 2023

Annexure
Annex: 5.1
Financial Inclusion

Financial inclusion seems to be the most prominent tool to ensure inclusive and sustainable economic
development in the world. With a view to building a sustainable economic infrastructure of the country
and realising the importance of financial inclusion, Bangladesh Bank has been engaged in the exploration
and promotion of innovative and successful policy initiatives to bring the financially excluded marginal
population under the umbrella of financial inclusion. The major policy initiatives taken by Bangladesh
Bank to promote financial inclusion are as follows:
• To include the under-privileged and financially excluded population in the formal banking services,
Bangladesh Bank has taken initiatives to open bank account with minimum deposit of Tk.10/50/100
for the people from various classes and professions such as farmers, hardcore poor, cleaners of city
corporation, workers of small shoe and leather factory, ready-made garments workers, physically
and sight challenged persons. Banks have also been instructed to open Tk.10 bank accounts for the
inhabitants of the 111 former enclaves that were included in the map of Bangladesh. Bangladesh
Bank has also instructed all the banks to operate these accounts without any service charges. With
the initiatives of Bangladesh Bank the number of these account reached to 2.95 crore at the end of
December 2022.
• With a view to facilitate the farmers for keeping their Tk.10 account effective by providing credit
under minimum conditions, the fund size of the revolving refinance fund worth of Tk. 200 crore has
been enhanced to Tk. 500 crore by Bangladesh Bank from its own source. Small, marginal, and
landless farmers are the main target groups of this refinance scheme. Clients can borrow maximum
Tk. 5.00 lac individually and Tk. 20.00 lac through a group from this fund. About Tk. 634.25 crore
has been disbursed under Tk. 200 crore and Tk. 500 crore scheme up to December 2022.
• Bangladesh Bank has relaxed the regulations for opening the Tk. 10 special accounts for the street
and working children, which was introduced in 2014 to make these people financially independent,
to safeguard their hard-earned money and secure their future. Now, if the biological parents of these
children are available, then the account can be operated by the joint signature of the street children
and their father/mother. In that case, the overall transaction should be under close supervision of the
nominated NGO official. The number of these accounts and the balance of these accounts stood at
30,898 and Tk. 45.52 lakh respectively up to December 2022.
• In accordance with the continuous financial inclusion program, Bangladesh Bank has introduced
agent banking to provide a safe and affordable channel for banking services throughout the country
to the non-privileged, underserved population especially from rural areas where traditional banking
services are not possible to be served profitably. To ensure the proper expansion of agent banking,
Bangladesh Bank issued comprehensive guidelines in September 2017. As of December 2022, 31
banks have got approval from BB to provide agent banking services and they have started their
operations. Up to December 2022, agent banking services have been provided through 1.75 crore
bank accounts opened by 20,736 outlets of 15,126 agents of those 31 banks.

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Bangladesh Economic Review 2023

• Bangladesh Bank has started ‘Remittance Award’ since 2013 to acknowledge the contributions of
NRBs and to motivate expatriates for sending more remittance through regular banking channel. A
total of 221 individuals and 45 institutions in different categories have been awarded in the period
of 2013 to 2020. In the year of 2021, 26 remitters (7 general professionals, 10 specialist
professionals and 09 businessmen), 03 non-resident Bangladeshi owned exchange houses and 04
commercial banks were awarded with ‘Bangladesh Bank Remittance Award 2019’, and 27
remitters (12 general professionals, 10 specialist professionals and 05 businessmen), 03 non-
resident Bangladeshi owned exchange houses and 04 commercial banks were awarded with
‘Bangladesh Bank Remittance Award 2020’.

• Bangladesh Bank introduces school banking for the students less than 18 years of age with a view
to crafting saving habit from the childhood and acquainting them with the banking services and
technology. Under this agenda, financial literacy programs are being organized throughout the
country following the Lead Bank model under Bangladesh Bank’s monitoring and supervision.
School banking conferences have been started from 2016. Financial literacy related video
documentaries, presentations, quiz programmes and cultural programmes are being arranged
through these conferences with a view to disseminating financial literacy.

• Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) is a policy leadership alliance owned and led by member
central banks and financial regulatory institutions with the common objective of advancing
financial inclusion at the country, regional and international levels. 84 institutions from 76
countries are working members of AFI. Bangladesh Bank is representing as a principal member in
this Alliance from June, 2009 and Governor of Bangladesh Bank performed as vice chair from
2016 and as chair of AFI Board of Directors from April, 2018 to September 2019 successfully. At
present, 2 Executive Director level officials of Bangladesh Bank are representing in i) AFI Gender
Inclusive Finance Committee (GIFC) and ii) AFI Intergovernmental Organization Special
Committee (IGOSC) of AFI Board. From the very beginning, Bangladesh is considered as pioneer
of financial inclusion in AFI network. As a member of AFI, Bangladesh Bank signed in Maya
Declaration on 11 September 2014 and commits goals regarding financial inclusion. Till now,
Bangladesh Bank has committed 69 goals, already 47 of which are completed successfully.
Bangladesh Bank has been declared as Regional Champion of Financial Inclusion of Asia region in
‘2022 Maya Declaration Progress Report’ for considerable advancement in Maya Declaration
Commitments.

• To increase financial literacy of people, Bangladesh Bank has completed Striving for a Financially
Literate Society project financed by AFI. Under this project the following three initiatives have
been implemented: Developing Financial Literacy guidelines designed for Banks and Financial
Institution to deploy financial literacy, Producing Financial Literacy content and website aimed at
different segments of people, and producing short animated financial literacy videos for better
dissemination of financial literacy among the mass.

• With a view to overcoming the possible negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladesh
Bank has formed a refinance fund worth Tk. 3000.0 crore (revolving) on 20 April 2020 for low-
income professionals, farmers, micro/small businesses. As per revised directives issued on 28
October 2021 vide FID Circular No: 02/2021, this facility is being disbursed through Micro

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Finance Institutions (MFIs) as well as by the branches and sub-branches of scheduled banks
enabling the fund to be accessible by the target population at the grassroots levels. The scheme
provides the end users with the facility to borrow at a maximum of 7 percent interest rates from the
banks and at 9 percent interest rate from the MFIs. On the other hand, Bangladesh Bank will charge
0.5 percent interest to the banks while the banks will charge 3.0 percent interest to the MFIs. As of
February 2023, more than 6.5 lakh targeted people has availed the credit facility worth of Tk.
3,763.64 crore through this scheme. Among them, 87.54 percent are female.

• Attaining the targets of Digital Bangladesh with expanding inclusive economic growth, and
prioritizing the need of unbanked and marginal people, Bangladesh Bank has introduced a refinance
scheme of Tk. 100.0 crore named ‘Refinance Scheme for Digital Nano Loan’ in June 2022 to
provide Nano Loan/Investment digitally at minimal interest/profit. Under this scheme, low income,
unbanked and marginal people can get credit facilities from Tk. 500 to Tk. 50,000 without any
paper documents and any collateral within very short time for a period of 6 months maximum using
digital platforms (MFS, mobile apps, e-wallet and e-banking, etc.). Consumers can be charged the
highest 9 percent interest/profit against this loan and Bangladesh Bank provides refinance to the
covenanted banks at 1 percent interest. As of December 2022, 45,003 beneficiaries have received
credit facilities amounting Tk. 46.15 crore under this refinance scheme.

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Annex: 5.2
Implementation of Basel III

Towards building a robust and risk resilient banking system, Basel-III capital and liquidity standards
aligned with the international best practices getting momentum in the banking sector of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh starts implementation of Basel III with a transitional arrangement from January 1, 2015 and
fully implemented at the end of December 2019. In this regard, Bangladesh Bank (BB) issued a
comprehensive guideline and declared a road map with a phase-in action plan for implementation of
BASEL III in December 2014. The aim of implementing Basel-III is to increase resilience of the banks
and the banking sector and prepare the banks and banking system to survive in the financial and economic
crisis. Banks in Bangladesh need to maintain an adequate level of capital requirement in addition of a
minimum capital requirement considering their risk profile.
Basel III increases not only the level of capital but also the quality of capital. Banks need to maintain a
minimum capital ratio of 10.00 percent, out of which 6.00 percent as Tier-1 capital. Under Basel III,
banks also maintaining a Capital Conservation Buffer (CCB) in addition of minimum capital requirement
(MCR). CCB started with 0.625 percent from 2016 and ended up with 2.50 percent in December 2019. At
present Banks are instructed to maintain 2.50 percent CCB. The macro prudential aspects of Basel III
especially counter cyclical capital buffer to protect the banking sector from periods of excess credit
growth is yet to be introduced. On December 2022, 44 banks were able to maintain minimum CCB ratio
(2.5%).
Aiming a leap forward towards IRB Approach, Bangladesh Bank issued a ‘Guidelines on Internal Credit
Risk Rating System (ICRRS)’ and prepared different ‘financial models’ for banks for better managing
credit risk internally. Considering COVID-19 pandemic and its consequent effect, Service/Manufacturing
sector were exempted from ICRRS rating for getting bank loan/investment facilities under the
government stimulus package in 2020. Due to COVID-19 impact, the score for ICRRS’ being
‘Unacceptable’ has been reduced to 55 percent from 60 percent.
Capital adequacy reporting under Basel III accord starts from the first quarter ended in March 2015. It is
evident that at the end of December 2022, Capital to Risk-weighted Asset Ratio (CRAR) of the banking
industry stood at 11.83 percent while Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) was 7.73 percent which
accomplished Basel III capital adequacy requirements. However, at individual level, 50 out of 61 banks
were able to maintain minimum capital requirements, i.e., 10% CRAR and 53 banks were able to
maintain CET1 at required level.
SRP-SREP Dialogue which is another major part of Pillar II Implementation process could not ground for
the base year 2019 due to COVID-19 pandemic. For the base year 2020, SRP-SREP Meeting with the
banks has finished in August 2022 and the meeting for the year of 2021 will be started soon. With the
experience of the last three years completed meetings (base year of 2017, 2018 and 2020 respectively)
with banks, it was found that the estimated additional capital requirement for residual risk was arisen
mainly due to documentation error which was the highest among the pillar II risks. Apart from that,
strategic risks and appraisal of core risks management were the other foremost concerns for the banks.

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Annex: 5.3
Development of Payment System
A safe and efficient payment system is crucial in maintaining stability and effectiveness of the financial
system. To establish payment system supportive for capital formation and facilitating transactions and
settlement services for mass engaged in banking services, Bangladesh Bank has been operating four
interoperable payment platforms named Bangladesh Automated Cheque Processing System (BACPS),
Bangladesh Electronic Funds Transfer Network (BEFTN), National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB),
and Interoperable Digital Transactions Platform (IDTP). Moreover, for the large-value payments segment,
Bangladesh Real Time Gross Settlement (BD-RTGS) System has been established to settle high value
(Tk. 100,000 equivalent and above) transactions on a real-time basis. During July-February 2023 of FY
2022-23, BACPS handled about Tk. 8.88 lakh crore through high value checks and around Tk. 4.35 lakh
crore through regular value checks. During the same period, BEFTN settled approximately Tk. 6.22 lakh
crore through electronically credit and debit items. During July-February 2023 of FY23, about Tk. 85.83
thousand crore has been transacted through NPSB system and about Tk. 36.44 lakh crore has been settled
in BD-RTGS.
Applying mobile technology, nine banks and three subsidiary companies of banks and one financial
service provider of the Bangladesh Postal Department (Nagad) are providing financial services, namely
Mobile Financial Services (MFS). Beside payment by individuals, merchant payment through MFS is
quickly gaining popularity among the customers. As of January 2023, the total number of MFS agents is
15,69,111 and the number of registered clients is approximately 19.41 crore out of which the number of
active accounts is about 5.73 crore. In that period, the average daily transaction volume through MFS was
about Tk. 3.24 thousand crore.
Till date, Bangladesh Bank has issued licenses to eight companies, of them seven PSOs act for settlement
of transactions in e-commerce or online buying and selling, which are playing an important role in the
advancement of e-commerce by providing Payment Gateway and Payment Aggregator services. Besides,
PSP licenses have been issued to five non-bank companies for providing e-wallet services. To make the
benefits of modern payment system more accessible to the public, Bangladesh Bank has published
guidelines for handling payment based on White Label ATM and Merchant Acquiring Services
(WLAMA) and ‘Bangla QR’ code. In addition, to promote labor-intensive micro/floating entrepreneurs,
small and micro traders, marginal sellers and service providers, Bangladesh Bank has released the
opportunity to open ‘Personal Retail Accounts’ with minimal paperwork. To ensure discipline and
consumer protection in the e-commerce market, Bangladesh Bank has also introduced escrow system for
online shopping from the market in addition to advance payment. Moreover, Interoperable Digital
Transactions Platform (IDTP) named as ‘Binimoy’ aimed at bridging between the various partners in the
payment system has started functioning from 13 November of 2022 after official inauguration. As a
result, customers will be able to receive all digital payment services under one API (Application
Processing Interface). With the growing demand for digital innovation and the technological excellence of
financial services, Bangladesh Bank launched the Regulatory Fintech Facilitation Office (RFFO) in
August 2020.

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Annex 5.4
Prevention of Money Laundering
During FY 2022-23 (till February 2023) Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has taken
significant initiatives for preventing money laundering and financing of terrorism and proliferation and
thus helped to manage the risks and ensure stability of the financial sector to bolster the growth of our
economy. Some of these initiatives are mentioned below:
• BFIU issued circular on 27 July 2022, which replaced the requirements of attestation of customer’s
documents by respective Bangladeshi embassies while opening account in the scheduled banks by
Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs).
• In the current fiscal year, BFIU received 2,56,52,620 no. of Cash Transaction Report (CTR) from the
banks and non-bank financial institutions and 8198 Suspicious Transaction/Activity Report
(STR/SAR) from the reporting organizations (ROs). In addition, BFIU received 154 complaints from
different sources.
• By analyzing STR/SARs submitted by ROs and complaints received from different sources, BFIU
prepared 40 intelligence reports and disseminated these to law enforcement agencies (LEAs) for
investigation and taking necessary action.
• BFIU conducted total 140 regular inspections including 100 inspections on banks, 17 inspections on
financial institutions, 17 inspections on money changers, 06 inspections on mobile financial service
(MFS) providers and 26 special inspections on ROs over the period. Besides, BFIU exchanged 285
money laundering / terrorism financing related information with the LEAs.
• BFIU received 16 requests from the foreign FIUs for money laundering (ML), terrorism financing
(TF) and proliferation financing (PF) related information and provided the information accordingly.
BFIU also made 52 requests to the FIUs of different countries/ jurisdictions and disseminated the
received responses to the concerned authority/appropriate LEAs.
• BFIU signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Financial Intelligence Unit of
Guernsey on 12 July 2022. With this, BFIU has signed total 79 MoUs with the FIUs of different
countries/jurisdictions.
• BFIU and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are working together to strengthen the risk-based
AML/CFT supervisory framework of Bangladesh. In this connection, IMF conducted an onsite
mission at BFIU during January 23-25, 2023 to discuss further scope of development in Bangladesh’s
AML/CFT regime.
• BFIU is working relentlessly to curb ML risk arising from online gaming/bating, crypto currency
transactions, and unauthorized foreign exchange trading activities. BFIU identified 497 websites, 212
face book pages and 120 mobile apps that are facilitating online gaming/bating, unauthorized foreign
exchange trading etc. in Bangladesh and disseminated their information to relevant LEAs for taking
necessary actions.
• To stabilize the volatile foreign exchange market, BFIU provided awareness building trainings on
AML/CFT to 229 Money Exchange houses. Special team formed with BFIU, CID and Bangladesh

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Bank officials conducted special drive-in unauthorized Money Exchange houses and seized local and
foreign currency worth Tk. 2.00 crore and 14 people had been arrested for being involved with
unauthorized Money Exchange business.
• BFIU has held a series of meetings with MFS providers, including LEAs to prevent the use of MFS
platform in digital hundi process. Approximately 5,766 suspected MFS agent account information has
been sent to LEAs which have been identified through various selective indicators. A total of 6,967
MFS account transactions have been frozen by BFIU on the basis of suspicion of involvement in
illegal hundi activities as on February 2023.
• BFIU provided necessary secretarial support to arrange the 26th and 27th meeting of the National
Coordination Committee on AML/CFT where Honorable Finance Minister presided over the meeting.
These two meetings ended with some important decisions to bolster the AML/CFT regime, which are
Cybercrime and Pornography as predicate offence in MLPA, 2012, initiative to amend the Public
Gambling Act, 1867, approving strategy for recovering money siphoned to different countries along
with Swiss banks, approving guidelines on Recovery of Laundered Money: Legal Framework and
Strategic Process etc.
• For prevention of money laundering (ML) and combating terrorist financing (TF) and proliferation
financing (PF), BFIU has been maintaining continued engagement with all the international bodies
such as APG, Egmont Group, FATF, BIMSTEC, UNODC, World Bank and IMF. Bangladesh
actively participated in various international initiatives undertaken by these organizations and other
foreign FIUs in the current fiscal year.

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