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DHAKA, Dec 4, 2024 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur today said the government has planned to bring down inflation to 4-5 percent.

"Our aims are to bring inflation down to 7 percent by next June. We will bring it down to 5 percent by the next fiscal year 2025-26. The main goal is to bring inflation down to 4-5 percent. I hope it is possible," he said.

The BB governor said this while speaking as the chief guest at a dialogue on "Tipping Points of Reform Agenda for the Turnaround of the Banking Sector of Bangladesh" at the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) auditorium in the city.

Chairman of BIBM Executive Committee and BB Deputy Governor Nurun Nahar and BB Deputy Governor Dr Md Habibur Rahman were present in the dialogue as special guests while Professor (Selection Grade) of BIBM MdMohiuddin Siddiue delivered the welcome address.

Director General of BIBM Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman chaired the program.

In his speech, Ahsan H Mansur said that due to floods, the prices of vegetables and food items are high in the market.

"It will come down soon. If we can bring inflation down to 7 percent, we will reduce the bank's interest and policy interest rate," he added.

He said four pillars of the economy, banking sector, capital market, insurance and bond market, are strong in the country.

"We have not been able to develop the bond market. As a result, the banking sector alone has to fulfill a big responsibility in our country. If we cannot find long-term sources of the economy, we will remain dependent on the banking sector," he added.

A background paper "Tipping Points of Reform Agenda for the Turnaround of the Banking Sector of Bangladesh" was presented in the program by Professor (Selection Grade) of BIBM Dr Prashanta Kumar Banerjee.

A good number of participants including chairman, managing directors, senior bank executives, academicians, media representatives, faculty members of BIBM took part in the program.

Director (Research, Development and Consultancy) and associate professor of BIBM Md Shihab Uddin Khan delivered the welcome address