Bangladesh Bank bars officials from joining bank-funded workshops

In a bid to ensure transparency, accountability and prevent potential conflicts of interest, Bangladesh Bank (BB) has prohibited its officials and employees from participating in training programmes, seminars and workshops funded by banks and other financial institutions.

The central bank issued an office order on Wednesday, detailing strict guidelines regarding local and international events sponsored by the entities it regulates.

The circular, issued by the Human Resources Department-2 (Training and Development Wing), outlines the following directives:

No funded participation

BB officials and employees are barred from participating as trainees or trainers in any training programme or workshop, at home or abroad, funded by government or private banks, financial institutions or other organisations.

Service provider restrictions

Personnel cannot participate in any foreign training, seminar or workshop funded by any organisation that receives services from or supplies goods to Bangladesh Bank.

Strict no-honorarium policy

While officials may participate as trainers or speakers in domestic seminars or discussion meetings organised by banks or financial institutions, subject to prior approval from Human Resources Department-2, they are strictly prohibited from accepting any honorarium from the organising agency.

Conflict of interest

Central bank staff have generally been instructed to refrain from attending any event where accepting an honorarium could create a conflict of interest with Bangladesh Bank’s activities.

The directive said the decisions were taken to maintain the integrity of the financial sector’s regulatory framework.

The order was issued with the approval of the appropriate authority and took effect immediately.