Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman has been awarded “Central Banker of the Year” in Asia-Pacific for 2015.
The Banker, UK-based financial magazine of the Financial Times Group, declared the award on January 05.
Atiur has been awarded in recognition of his role in stimulating growth and stabilising economy as well as promoting social and environmental initiatives.
On its website, the Banker said Atiur Rahman’s work exemplifies how central banks can play essential roles in providing capital for environmental and social development without compromising on growth or macroeconomic stability.
“Initially it was not easy. Central bankers are a bit of a conservative, sceptical bunch. They thought it was going to be a disaster,” it quoted Rahman as saying.
Atiur believed that supporting agriculture and SME could avert financial crises.
“In many developed countries, central banks only create money and liquidity in the air. They don’t do much on the ground, which could stop speculative financing and increase liquidity with small deposits. Financial systems would be more stable and have diversified loan portfolios if this happened,” he said.
In November last year, the Bangladesh Bank governor received the “GUSI Peace Prize International 2014” award in recognition of his work in establishing peace by reducing poverty in Bangladesh.
He was appointed the 10th governor of Bangladesh Bank on May, 2009, for four years. The government last year extended his appointment for another term.
