The central bank Governor on Sunday said the country’s economy remained on track despite many external and domestic shocks as the regulator could take timely policies.

“In the face of the ongoing global meltdown and recent internal political instability, advancing the economy was a major challenge,” said Dr Atiur Rahman.

“To address that challenge, Bangladesh Bank has taken timely monetary policy, loan policy and investment and business-friendly policies and steps. So, most economic indicators remained positive despite an adverse situation,” the Governor remarked.

Dr Atiur was addressing as chief guest a programme of BB’s fresh officials at the Bangladesh Bank Training Academy at Mirpur.

He told the fresh officials that the size of the country’s economy and depth of the financial sector has increased remarkably in last five years. The challenge for the central bank also increased simultaneously, he added.

BB’s financial inclusion campaign has helped widen the economic depth quickly, he said, adding that agriculture, SME and banking sectors’ contribution also helped maintain the economic stability.

In last five years, the number of banks rose to 56 from 48 and the number of bank branches increased from 6,886 to 8,560, the Governor informed.

Meanwhile, opening of bank accounts witnessed a 63 percent hike to reach 6.12 crore and ten-taka accounts for the poor also soared to 1.33 crore during the period, he also mentioned.

Key macro economic indicators, including GDP growth, inward remittances, reserve, exports and imports, were stable in last five years, which showed “economic resilience” of the country, he said.

He noted that because of close observation and market-based monitoring by the central bank, the inter-bank money market, the foreign currency market and exchange rates remained stable.

And at the same time, inflation was in control even though it heated up in last two months because of supply chain disruption due to political violence.

The governor called upon new officials to put their full efforts to turn the institute a centre of excellence and a world-class central bank.

BB Deputy Governor SK Sur Chowdhury was also present at the event as the special guest.