Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman said the central bank has given due importance on financial inclusion and financial literacy programmes in a bid to bring unbanked people under banking network.

“Bangladesh tops South Asian countries, after Sri Lanka, in terms of financial inclusion,” he added.

At present, there are 1.5 crore mobile banking accounts in the country and some 1.33 crore poor people of different ages have opened bank accounts at Tk 10 under the programme, he added.

The BB Governor made the remarks while inaugurating School Banking Conference, Khulna-2014 at Tiger Garden Hotel in Khulna on Saturday.

SK Sur Chowdhury, Deputy Governor, Bangladesh Bank, was present as special guest where students, teachers, guardians and officials of Bangladesh Bank and other commercial banks attended.

Bangladesh Bank recently issued a circular for opening bank accounts for the street children at Tk 10. Children, those who have no guardian, can open an account in any bank of the country, Dr Atiur added.

Financial inclusion programme has become one of the main weapons for ensuring sustainable development in a developing country, he said, adding, people who are deprived of financial services will be brought under the programme for the economic development of the country.