DHAKA, March 6, 2023 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud today inaugurated agriculture loan distribution through the smart card of AB Bank at his own constituency at Ranguniya upazila of Chattogram district.
  
The minister addressed the function virtually from his office at the Secretariat here.
  
AB Bank managing director Tarique Afzal, AL Chattogram north district unit vice president Sajal Kumar Talukder and Chattogram Zila Parishad member Freedom Fighter Abul Kashem Chisti, among others, were present in the function. 
 
Praising the initiative of distributing agricultural loan through smart card, Hasan said the rural economy is the main driving force of the country’s economy. About 70 percent people are living in villages till now, he added. 
 
Though the contribution of industry to GDP exceeds the agriculture, 70 percent or more of the country's population is still dependent on agriculture and the agricultural economy in different ways, he said.
  
For this, the initiative of providing agricultural loan through smart card is a very good initiative, said Hasan. 
 
Mentioning the decentralization of the banking system, the minister said the branches of banks were only in urban or city areas 20 to 25 years ago. But the government has made a rule that half of new bank branches should be opened in the city and half out of the city. Bangladesh Bank approves branches in such a way that village people come under banking facilities, he added.
  
The minister extended thanks to the AB Bank authority to inaugurate the sub branch at Ranguniya a few days ago and to distribute agricultural loan through smart card.
                         
Hasan said, “Rangunia is a growing town. About one lakh people of the upazila live in different countries of Middle East and Europe, America and Malaysia. They work abroad and send remittance regularly. Bank branches in Rangunia are playing very important role in receiving these remittances.” 
 
Emphasizing on increasing awareness about loan, he said the government has been providing loans without security through the Department of Youth Development. For this, the youth are becoming self-reliant, he added. 
 
But, the minister said, many youths are not fully aware of the loan facility of the department. They also need to be informed,  he said. 
 
Hasan urged all to play role to materialize the dream of reaching the destination of building a developed nation by 2041.