On the first Friday of every month, Sabina Begum makes the short trip from her single-room shack in a crowded Dhaka slum to a nearby grocery. The grocer, in addition to selling her much-needed supplies, doubles as her financial-services provider.
Ms. Begum hands the grocer cash, and with a few clicks on a basic key-press mobile phone, he sends the money on its way.
At roughly the same time, in a village 300 kilometers away, Ms. Begum’s father, Bosir Uddin, partially blind and slowed by arthritis, walks to a tea shop in the village square, where he waits for the money transfer from Dhaka. It duly arrives in the form a text message to the tea shop
For Rehana Akhter, rebuilding her life after losing her leg in Bangladesh’s worst industrial disaster is an uphill battle, but her struggle is eased slightly by digital technology.
The 25-year-old has an electronic bank account on her mobile, giving her access to financial services that have traditionally been out of reach for millions of poor in Bangladesh and other developing nations.
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Girl With Mobile Smart Phone[/caption]
From the capital Dhak...
Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Sunday asked all banks to provide loans to the marginal groups including low-income professionals and small businessmen and the people affected by various natural disasters.
The central bank said it had issued the circular after observing that some banks were reluctant to provide loans to the marginal group people despite BB’s directive to do so.
BB earlier asked all banks to provide loans to the marginal group people, having Taka 10 accounts. The central also launched a Taka 200 crore revolving scheme for the purpose.
At least three or four meetings we...
At least three or four meetings we...
