Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina appreciated that private banks are making a significant contribution to the country's economy and providing job opportunities, reports UNB.

She urged the private banks to set up their branches in the rural areas for welfare of the mass people through accelerating development of the rural economy.

She made the suggestion when Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) today (Tuesday) donated Tk 24.0 million (2.40 crore) to the PM's relief fund in aid of the victims of the cyclonic storm Aila.

A BAB delegation led by its vice-chairman Muhammad A Ali handed over the money by cheque to PM Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Jamuna in the morning.

Among the 33 member-banks of the association, 24 gave the donation (Tk 1.0 million each) and the rest of the banks would make their donation later.

The BAB leaders thanked the PM as the 45 per cent corporate tax imposed on the banks has been reduced by 2.5 per cent.

Prime Minister Hasina said, "The way the bankers have stood by the families of the army officers killed in last February's Pilkhana carnage and the victims of cyclonic storm Aila is a great example of social service."

She observed the donation made by the BAB would inspire the storm victims to win the struggle against natural calamities in the coastal areas.

The Prime Minister mentioned the previous donations given by the Bangladesh Association of Banks for the families of the martyred army officers.

The BAB earlier had declared paying Tk 40,000 a month for ten years to each of the families of the army officers killed in the BDR mutiny.

Sheikh Hasina also informed the BAB delegation that immediately after the BDR killings, financial assistance was given to the widows and orphaned children of the martyred army officers, but later it was found out that there were many more army officers on which their parents, brothers and sisters had to depend.

"Such army families have been identified later and given more Tk 1.0 million (10 lakh) each by the government," Sheikh Hasina told the bankers.

She mentioned that expatriate Bangladeshis in the past had to face severe problem in sending home their remittances, but the previous Awami League (AL) government had taken effective measure so that the expatriates could send remittances through banking channels.

Sheikh Hasina further said the last AL government had paved the way for the flourishing of banks, insurance companies, mobile phones and television channels in private sector.

Prime Minister's Office Secretary Mollah Waheeduzzaman and Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, BAB vice-chairman Prof. A N M A Zaher, prominent bankers Hafiz Ahmed Majumder MP, Mir Nasir Hossain and Dr. HBM Iqbal, among others, were present.