Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman has urged banks and other financial institutions to come forward to bring people of the erstwhile enclaves into the mainstream economy. 

Rahman spoke while visiting the former Dahola Khagrabari enclave in Debiganj upazila on Sunday, where he handed over various items donated by different banks to the local people. 

A number of banks together contributed some Tk 2.5 crore from their CSR funds for the ex-enclave dwellers. Some of the money was used to buy 334 tube-wells, 192 sanitary latrines, 19 computers, and 1,300 school bags among other things, which the governor distributed during the event. 

Some 90 sewing machines, 183 bicycles for female students, 110 rickshaw-vans, 146 bundles of corrugated-iron sheets and 30 cows were also distributed.

Also, Tk 42 lakh has been earmarked for the construction of school buildings, and Tk 15.5 lakh for education scholarships and 100 school-benches, UNB reports.

Bangladesh has introduced itself as a model for sustainable economic growth and development, and has already transformed into a low-middle income country, the governor said. 

He visited a daylong banking fair organised by the central bank, and inaugurated two branches of National Bank in Debiganj and Patgram, as well as two schools for the former enclave dwellers during the same event.

News:The Daily Star/26-oct-2015