Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Dr Atiur Rahman on Saturday called upon the banks, financial institutions and business organisations to come forward to help conserve the wildlife, reports UNB.

He made the call while addressing a programme organised by Wildlife Conservation Foundation at Lauachhara Forest in Srimongal Upazila under Moulvibazar district in the morning.

Atiur, who released some wild animals in the forest at the programme, called upon the relevant authorities for taking steps to save the biodiversity and conserving historic establishments.

Managing Director of National Bank Limited (NBL) Neaz Ahmed assured the central bank of providing support to that end.

Later, the central bank governor attended a function organised by the NBL for disbursement of loan among Monipuri women entrepreneurs of Sylhet and Moulvibazar.

The governor disbursed Tk 4.8 million loans among 116 women entrepreneurs on behalf of the bank. "The creative women entrepreneurs of the Monipuri community will specially be benefited with this loan," Atiur said.

He said the central bank has so far provided about Tk 3.51 billion among 4,924 women entrepreneurs under its re-financing scheme.

Some 16,696 women entrepreneurs had been provided with Tk 20.84 billion loans in 2011, Atiur said adding that the amount was Tk 18.05 billion in 2010.

He also said the SME loan disbursement process has got a momentum following the steps taken by the central bank.

The governor mentioned that though the number of women entrepreneurs is limited, they are neglected, particularly when it comes to having access to loan.

Financial Express/Bangladesh/ 8th April 2012