Finance adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has announced that the interim government is working to establish a centralised information hub for financial and social data, aiming to enable investors to access all necessary information with a single click.
This initiative aims to save time and minimise the difficulties faced by both domestic and international entrepreneurs in obtaining crucial information, Dr Salehuddin said while speaking as the chief guest at the launch of the 6th edition of Banking Almanac-2023 on Saturday at the CIRDAP Auditorium on Topkhana Road in the capital.
“The regular and timely publication of the ‘Banking Almanac’ is vital. It will assist investors, bankers, and depositors in accessing accurate information,” he added.
He said that the unavailability of accurate data had hindered effective policy-making in Bangladesh’s social and financial sectors.
Ensuring accurate information in a centralised location is not only a necessity for better governance but also a citizen’s right, he added.
Dr Salehuddin further mentioned that the interim government has been diligently gathering accurate data on inflation and other financial indicators.
While recent inflation figures have shown an increase, he clarified that they were calculated using the current formula and transparently published.
He stressed the importance of timely publication of financial data to enable prompt and effective measures. Delays in data publication, he warned, could lead to financial losses for both investors and depositors.
“Stock market investors often incur losses by investing in weak companies due to misinformation or a lack of reliable data. This underscores the need for a consolidated source of accurate information,” Dr. Salehuddin said.
The event was also attended by senior finance secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder, deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank Nurun Nahar, and chairman of the Bangladesh Association of Banks Abdul Hai Sarker, who participated as special guests.
Former adviser to a caretaker government and acting chairman of the Board of Editors for Banking Almanac Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman presided over the programme.
During the ceremony, the Finance Adviser and other dignitaries officially unveiled the 6th edition of the ‘Banking Almanac.’
Published annually for the past seven years, the almanac provides a comprehensive collection of the latest comparative data in a single volume.
The event was attended by officials from central and commercial banks, economists, and financial sector analysts.
