News Title : Dutch Queen lauds efforts to promote mobile banking

News Date : 2015-11-19

-Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka
Visiting Dutch Queen Maxima held meeting with Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith to discuss ongoing Bangladesh efforts on financial inclusion of marginal people into the mainstream banking system, reports BSS. During a 30-minute talk at finance ministry at secretariat here, they discuss various issues related to accelerating the country's efforts to include all under formal financial system with insurance instruments for improving their livelihood, especially the marginal people. The Dutch Queen, who has been promoting inclusive finance for development across the globe as special advocate of UN secretary-general since 2009, appreciated Bangladesh endeavours in promoting mobile banking. The Queen expressed her hope that Bangladesh would be successful in carrying out financial inclusion of its all citizens through the government taken ongoing efforts. After the meeting the finance minister told newsmen that the government is working on formulating a policy to ensure financial facilities to poor rural people through the state owned banks. "We are planning to introduce micro-credit for marginal and poor people through the public banks," he said. The finance minister said the government has taken steps to bring more poor people under different banking services. He said the public banks need to be fully digitized to establish financial transparency and good governance. The finance minister said the Dutch Queen put emphasis on conducting huge mass awareness programme to inspire more and more rural people to involve into banking system. Earlier, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak also called on the Dutch Queen at her hotel this morning. During the meeting, the Dutch Queen appreciated Bangladesh efforts to provide different public services to marginal people through digital devices. She said various digital innovations have created huge opportunity of women empowerment in Bangladesh. The state minister apprised the Queen that the rural women of Bangladesh have been empowering themselves with access of various information as the Bangladesh government made internet service available at rural areas. The Dutch Queen came here on Monday morning in her capacity as the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA) on a three-day visit.

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