Dr Mustafa K Mujeri, Executive Director, Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development (InM) presented the keynote speech in the SAARCFINANCE Seminar on ‘Strategies of Lending for Priority Finance in the SAARC Region”, held on 22 February 2019 at the Dhaka Regency Hotel and Resort. The seminar was organised by SAARCFINANCE Cell, Research Department of Bangladesh Bank.

Mr. Dasho Penjore, Governor of Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan attended the seminar as the Chief Guest while Mr Fazle Kabir, Governor, Bangladesh Bank was the Special Guest. Mr S M Moniruzzaman, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank chaired the inaugural session.

In his keynote speech, Dr. Mujeri observes that ‘’priority finance presents an exciting opportunity for the SAARC region; but we need to be clear about the problem we are trying to solve, address that, and be realistic about whether it can work for all.’’  He observes that priority finance should increasingly be directed towards promoting inclusive growth in the SAARC region by improving infrastructure and financial services, and by supporting the expansion of smaller enterprises. The focus should be on strategic investments and interventions to promote inclusive growth, help address climate change impacts, and encourage regional integration. 

He further observes that, given the importance that the SAARC governments place on financial sector inclusion, state-directed priority sector lending will continue to play a large role in SAARC’s future development agenda. Many regulators’ current reliance on universal loan quotas or interest rate subsidies runs the risk of weakening system-wide asset quality, particularly when lenders, lacking the specialised experience in priority sectors, face a lending mandate. As a result, these lending requirements may also discourage market entry of new banks, particularly the foreign ones. The strengthening of priority lending along with development of alternative mechanisms and improvements in credit risk assessment infrastructure could enhance banking systems’ transmission of credit to priority sectors in the SAARC region, helping to expand access to finance while limiting economic distortions. Learn More

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In the world, richest 85 people own as much as the poorest half of humanity. In Bangladesh, the lowest 5 percent population has an income share 0.23 percent in 2016 (declining from 0.78 percent in 2010); while the income share of the top 5 percent households has increased to 27.89 percent in 2016, rising from 24.61 percent in 2010.  The gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider.

Inequality fuels crime, corruption, poverty and many other evils in society. SDG10 is essential for achieving the country’s desired goal of becoming a developed nation by 2041 and creating a better world for the future generations.

The government has the main responsibility for promoting equality in society, since inequality stems from structural conditions. An equal society is based on the principle of equal rights of all people regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion or belief, disability or origin, which also serves as a basis for an equitable distribution of resources, and economic and political influence in society.

Inequality is also a matter of disparities related to access, opportunities, resources and the ability to contribute to and make use of potential/emerging development opportunities. This is true at all levels; from differences in opportunities to individuals, specific social groups and geographic regions. Inequality tends to perpetuate poverty since extreme poverty in different dimensions makes it more difficult for people and society to benefit from development. Inequality is often a matter of inequitable access to resources and utilities, such as access to clean water and hygienic sanitation; and is therefore also a source of deprivation.

The issue of inequality is linked to most other SDGs. Quality lifelong learning for all is the key to building a democratic society and promoting social and gender equality. Equitable access to health services and to conditions that ensure good health also promote good quality of life and create opportunities for people to support themselves, including people with limited resources. Clear regulations on ownership, sale and inheritance of land that cover both women and men and different groups in society form the basis of sustainable use of natural resources and food security. Gender equality and empowerment of women and girls are keys to achieving greater equality in society. Peace and freedom from all forms of violence are essential to building sustainable societies in which all individuals and social groups can use their productive abilities to the maximum extent for enjoying greater social welfare and inclusive development. 

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A new book titled Spirited Women’s Tales: Migration of Bangladeshi Women to the Middle East written by Abhar Rukh Husain was published by InM in November 2017.  The book draws on the stories of twenty eight Bangladeshi women who went to the Middle East as domestic workers to bring out the inner dynamics of their interactions with migration middlemen and employers and offers a complex understanding of their migration journey. The book uses the methodological approach of Grounded Theory and the findings are particularly important as these are generated by the marginalised/disenfranchised Bangladeshi women and their otherwise unappreciated perspectives as the basis of knowledge creation.

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