Speakers at a workshop observed that green banking can be an avenue to reduce pollution and save the environment aiding sustainable economic growth.

They said banking sector is a major source of financing for commercial projects which is one of the indicators of economic growth recently.

These observations came at a workshop on green banking organised by Bank Asia Ltd in the city marking the World Environment Day, said a press release. Md Mehmood Husain, president and managing director of the Bank, inaugurated the workshop which was conducted by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib, professor and director (Training) of Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM).

Launching the event, Mehmud Husain highlighted how the developed countries are embracing initiatives that are conducive to the environment in order to ensure well-being of the future generation. He said Banks play a critical role in economic development and they are well equipped to undertake Green Banking activities. He reiterated that Banks should finance the sectors that would ensure sustainable and eco-friendly environment.

Senior officials of different branches of the Bank located in Dhaka city and Chittagong Zonal Office participated in the workshop. At the workshop, Dr Ahsan Habib provided a cognitive understanding of the concept of Green Banking and highlighted the role of NGOs, banks and financial institutions (FIs) in the evolution of Green Banking policies and practices. He underscored the importance of taking such initiatives by the country’s banks and FIs.

Green Banking is a multi-stakeholders’ endeavour where banks have to work closely with government, NGOs, IFIs/IGOs, central bank, consumers and business communities to reach the goal. Green Initiatives by banks include internal environment management, environmental financing/product ecology, environmental disclosure and reporting, formulating and adopting principles and promoting other stakeholders.

The speakers observed that regulatory enforcement by the government, pressure from the civil society and consumers, voluntary supports and responses by the business entities are preconditions to create a congenial atmosphere. A framework of incentives for responsible banks and disincentives for pollutants is an essential element for the development of green banking.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Bank issued policy guidelines for developing Green Banking practices and Environmental Risk Management and circulars to handle climate change.

Now the central bank needs to play a proactive role in guiding green banking initiatives, the speakers said.

They said the country’s banks may work collectively and move forward by undertaking voluntary initiatives.

Financing environment-friendly projects will also help the financial institutions to avert legal, reputation, security and credit risks, they pointed out.

At present a growing number of banks have been assessing environmental risk while selecting projects for financing.

In the concluding session of the workshop, Md Touhidul Alam Khan, SEVP, Head of Corporate Assets and Client Origination and Team Leader of Green Banking Unit of Bank Asia, highlighted the activities undertaken by the bank and briefed on future course of actions. He informed that Bank Asia has taken a number of initiatives regarding the implementation of environmental policies, strategies and programmes in the area of Green Banking activities.

The Bank has conducted activities related to in-house environment management, financed a number of environment-friendly projects, created climate risk fund, utilised online banking facility to serve the clients through alternative delivery channels and has also arranged workshops/ training for capacity building and awareness.

The Daily Independent/Bangladesh/ 12th June 2012

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman addresses a function at Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) Bhaban at Mirpur in the city yesterday.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman said the banking sector of the country is passing a challenging time.

He said the government should be very much cooperative for overcoming the present situation as well as ensuring overall development of the sector.

Dr Atiur said this while addressing a function organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) to mark the BIBM day at BIBM Bhaban, Mirpur in the city.

Mentioning that Bank Company Act will be placed in the parliament, Dr. Atiur said monitoring over the banking sector has been increased and the banks will enjoy the benefits soon.

Governor said that the bankers should have knowledge on how other countries are facing the global economic recession.

BIBM Chairman Towfiq Ahamed Chowdhury presided over the function while former Deputy Governor (DG) of Bangladesh Bank (BB) Khorshed Alam, President of the Association of Bankers, Bangladesh (ABB), Nurul Amin and Managing Director of Bangladesh Commerce Bank, SA Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.

Addressing the function former DG Khorshed Alam said the banking sector has been facing a catastrophe at present. Abu Hena Mohammad Razee Hasan said operating the banking sector has become much challenging.

During the function, four newly appointed DGs of Bangladesh Bank were accorded reception while just departed DGs were given farewell.

The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/ 26th Feb 2012

Atiur tells BIBM workshop

The Bangladesh Bank is mulling some incentives for the banks which would go for green financing and those would be considered as their corporate social responsibility (CSR), said the central bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman.

He also called upon the bankers to finance more in environment-friendly projects and go green in their in-house operations.

“Greening of mind first is a pre-requisite to green financing,” Atiur said while inaugurating a workshop for the bankers on “Policy and Strategy of Green Banking in Bangladesh” at Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) auditorium in the capital yesterday.

According to CSR guidelines issued by the BB, financing to effluent treatment plants (ETP) has already been included to its as CSR, Governor told bankers who gathered for preparing a regulatory framework for green banking.

“We’re trying out a participatory monetary policy that would ensure financial inclusion like people’s access to finance and green banking is not out of that policy,” said Atiur.

For a faster and steady economic growth, the BB is emphasising on green banking approach for an eco-friendly and sustainable development, Atiur also said adding that the BB is relentlessly working for framing a strategic plan to that end.

This might not be a task for the central banks of developed countries, but these are very crucial for Bangladesh as BB’s main focus is on economic development, he further added.

“Our all activities ultimately tell upon our environment and the BB took some initiatives in this regard as it wants to minimise those environmental hazards,” he also said adding “We’re not only instructing the scheduled banks to introduce energy efficient technologies but we also established a solar panel at BB headquarters.”

“Automation is equally important for the banks in reducing paper uses for a greener environment,” he also told the bankers.

He suggested that banks should seriously keep in mind the environmental issues while financing to any industrial projects.

Former BB Governor and founding chairman of BIBM AKN Ahmed attended the function as special guest. Director of BIBM Ahsan Habib and BB executive director Md Jahangir Alam presented papers on green banking at the workshop presided over by BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury.

Source: Daily Sun

Three-day long training of trainers programme on “Improving Remittance Related Banking Services” concluded in the city yesterday.

The Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) jointly organised the programme with financial supports from the Department for International Development (DFID).

Chairman of the BIBM and Governor of the Bangladesh Bank Dr Atiur Rahman inaugurated the training programme, said a press release.

Total 33 officers from different banks participated at the programme. A training toolkit has been prepared by BIBM to be used by the bankers was highlighted at the programme.

Dr Toufic Ahmad Choudhury, Director General, BIBM delivered the welcome address. Rabab Fatima, Regional Representative for South Asia of IOM, Khursed Alam Chowdhury, Director General of BMETspoke.

Mohammad Mohiuddin Siddique, Associate Professor and Director (CPGS) of BIBM and Mahmudul Ameen Masud, AGM of Agrani Bank Ltd jointly coordinated the programme.

Source: daily-sun, Bangladesh/8th Dec 2010