The 47th SAARCFINANCE Governors’ Group Meeting and Symposium is set to convene tomorrow, June 27, 2025, at the Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka. Organized by the SAARCFINANCE Wing of Bangladesh Bank’s Research Department, the event will serve as a crucial platform for regional financial cooperation among SAARC member central banks.
Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Governor of Bangladesh Bank, will chair the SAARCFINANCE Governors’ Group Meeting. This session, scheduled for the early morning, will gather Governors, Finance Secretaries, and representatives from SAARC member countries to deliberate on significant macro-financial policy issues impacting the broader South Asian economic landscape.
A full-day SAARCFINANCE Governors’ Symposium will run concurrently with the group meeting. The symposium is expected to draw a diverse audience, including delegates from SAARC central banks, officials from various government ministries, Bangladesh Bank, commercial banks, financial institutions (FIs), and representatives from research institutions across Bangladesh.
The inaugural ceremony of the symposium will feature welcome remarks from Dr. Sayera Younus, Executive Director (Research) at Bangladesh Bank. Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank, will deliver the keynote address. Distinguished special guests, including Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Secretary, Finance Division, Ministry of Finance, and Dasho Penjore, Governor, Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, will also deliver speeches. The Chief Guest, Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Governor, Bangladesh Bank, will deliver his inaugural remarks.
Under the theme “Financial Inclusion and Central Banking: Bridging Gaps in the SAARC Region,” the symposium will proceed with two working sessions where representatives from SAARC central banks will present country papers. The discussions are poised to foster constructive dialogue on pressing macro-financial challenges and review progress on collaborative initiatives. Key topics on the agenda include the SAARCFINANCE Roadmap for 2025-2030, regional efforts in sustainable finance, and updates to the SAARCFINANCE Scholarship Scheme, which currently supports Bangladesh Bank and Ministry of Finance officials in PhD and Master’s programs.
This gathering is vital for enhancing regional financial cooperation, promoting knowledge exchange, and driving inclusive growth. The meeting outcomes are anticipated to advance regional integration, bolster institutional capacity, and ultimately contribute to coordinated policy responses and macroeconomic resilience within South Asia.
The SAARCFINANCE Network was established following the 10th SAARC Summit in Colombo on July 29, 1998. The Heads of State/Government of the SAARC Region agreed to create a “Network of Central Bank Governors and Finance Secretaries of the SAARC Region (SAARCFINANCE)” to facilitate dialogues on macroeconomic policies and share mutual experiences and ideas.
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