Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Sunday urged Janata Bank to be 'effective and efficient' in managing the bank's operations in order to reduce unnecessary expenditure and increase profit.
Expressing frustration over the balance sheet of Janata Bank - a state-owned commercial bank, the finance minister said, "This is the month of celebrations, but Janata Bank's balance sheet does not have a reflection of it."
"I will not talk further about it today," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a ceremony marking the opening of the 'Mujib Corner and Bangabandhu Mural' at the Janata Bank headquarters in the city.
He said Bangladesh had achieved remarkable successes in all socio-economic indicators.
"We will move forward to materialise the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working to this end. We will help her materialise the dream," he said.
Mustafa Kamal said Bangabandhu was an inspiration to the country's people and the young generation would take forward the country in line with Bangabandhu's dreams.
"We are now enjoying demographic dividend. If we can properly use the opportunity, we will become a developed country as per the dream of Father of the Nation," he added.
He lauded all banks for their contribution during the Covid-19 pandemic through providing stimulus packages and keeping the country's economy stable.
Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir urged the bank's management to watch over the capital deficit in the bank.
He urged all banks, including the Janata Bank, to contribute more in the disbursement of stimulus packages and loans for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Senior Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division M Ashadul Islam said the corner would help the next generation to know about Bangabandhu.
Chairman of the Janata Bank's Board of Directors Dr SM Mahfuzur Rahman and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Md Abdus Salam Azad, among others, spoke on the occasion.
bdsmile@gmail.com