In the wake of widespread criticisms on high bank interest rates, finance minister AMA Muhith on Thursday urged the bankers to come up with more patriotism and flexibility to facilitate the country’s industrial progress. “Had they (bankers) shown patriotism, there wouldn’t have had frequent changes in the bank interest rates,” he said while addressing the inaugural programme of the 7th International Plastic Fair 2012 held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

The four-day fair has been organised by the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) and Chan Chao International Company Limited, Taiwan, aiming to attract international buyers and make local companies familiar with new technologies.

President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) AK Azad spoke as special guest at the programme presided over by BPGMEA president Shamim Ahmed.

FBCCI 1st vice -president and fair organising committee convenor Md Jashim Uddin also spoke on the occasion. BPGMEA general secretary Iqbal Hossain gave the vote of thanks.

Speaking as the chief guest, the finance minister said although the government has no right to interfere in this issue of bank interest, sometimes it has to do as it is a free market economy. “We often interfere in public interest, but we have no moral rights as it belongs to those who operate the banks.”

As the ‘Commanding Heights of the Economy’, financial institutions need to show much more patriotism, Muhith observed.
Responding to the demand for setting up a plastic industrial estate, he said the government would consider the demand and consult it with the Industries Ministry.

The Independent/Bangladesh/ 17th Feb 2012