Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur emphasizes regional collaboration, policy alignment, and knowledge sharing as key to overcoming financial inclusion challenges in South Asia.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur has emphasized that there is no “magic wand” for achieving an inclusive economy, urging South Asian nations to work collectively and practically to tackle financial access gaps across the region. He made the remarks at the 47th SAARCFINANCE Governors’ Group Meeting and Symposium, held Thursday (June 26) at a five-star hotel in Dhaka.

Organized by the SAARCFINANCE Wing of the Bangladesh Bank’s Research Department, the symposium was themed “Financial Inclusion and Central Banking: Bridging Gaps in the SAARC Region.” It brought together central bank governors, finance secretaries, and senior representatives from SAARC member states to deliberate on regional policy coordination and strategies for inclusive growth.

In his inaugural address as the chief guest, Dr. Mansur noted that despite political differences among South Asian countries, the ongoing dialogue among central bank governors, along with policy debates and knowledge exchange, reflects a strong commitment to the region’s economic advancement.

“We must focus on every corner of the economy. Ensuring financial accessibility poses many challenges, and more will come. There’s no magic wand for inclusive economics—we must face these challenges head-on,” said the Governor.

Highlighting the significance of continued communication among SAARC nations, Dr. Mansur stressed the importance of adapting best practices from across the region to suit each country’s unique needs.

“Different countries are making progress in different areas. By learning from each other, we can adopt optimal strategies. Sharing knowledge and successful models is essential,” he added.

Dr. Mansur acknowledged the stark realities of financial exclusion in South Asia, stating that a significant portion of the region’s population remains outside the formal financial network.

“Bringing them into the system remains a major hurdle. Countries are trying different approaches, and it is encouraging to see positive examples emerging. We aim to adapt these within our own financial systems,” he said.

Referring to broader regional efforts, Dr. Mansur reaffirmed the importance of institutional cooperation despite political tensions. He noted that central banks are continuing to collaborate through joint research, information exchange, and governor-level discussions, which he said should remain uninterrupted for the sake of inclusive economic growth.

“Whatever our differences, our collaboration at the central bank level must continue. This engagement plays a critical role in advancing inclusion,” he asserted.

The symposium also featured remarks from other regional leaders. Bhutan’s Central Bank Governor, Dasho Penjore of the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, and Bangladesh’s Finance Division Secretary, Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, addressed the audience and echoed the need for cooperation in tackling shared economic challenges.

A keynote paper was presented by Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, while Dr. Sayera Yunus, Executive Director (Research) at Bangladesh Bank, delivered the welcome speech.

The event underscored that while the path to financial inclusion in South Asia remains complex, platforms like SAARCFINANCE provide a vital space for collaborative problem-solving and capacity-building among regional central banks.

In closing, speakers emphasized that long-term economic inclusion is not just a financial imperative but a foundation for equitable and sustainable development across the SAARC region.