In a strategic move to reinforce institutional transparency and eliminate potential conflicts of interest, Bangladesh Bank, the central regulatory authority of the country’s financial sector, has implemented a strict prohibition on its officials regarding industry-funded events. According to an official directive issued by the central bank’s Human Resources Department-2 on Wednesday, employees are now barred from participating in any training programmes, seminars, or workshops that are financed by the very banks and financial institutions they are tasked with regulating.
Strengthening Regulatory Integrity
The new policy aims to preserve the integrity of the financial sector’s regulatory framework by ensuring that central bank personnel maintain a neutral and objective stance. By severing financial ties related to professional development and knowledge sharing, the authority intends to prevent any perception of bias or compromise that could arise from accepting hospitality or funding from regulated entities.
The directive, which took immediate effect following approval from the relevant authorities, outlines specific constraints across several categories of engagement. These measures apply to both domestic and international contexts, covering a wide spectrum of professional interactions.
Core Directives of the Office Order
The circular issued by the Training and Development Wing of Human Resources Department-2 establishes the following mandatory guidelines:
| Category | Restriction Details |
| Funded Participation | Prohibition from serving as trainees or trainers in domestic or foreign events funded by private/government banks or financial institutions. |
| Service Provider Ties | Barred from attending foreign seminars or workshops funded by entities that supply goods or provide services to Bangladesh Bank. |
| Honorarium Policy | Strict prohibition on accepting any monetary payment or honorarium for speaking engagements or seminars. |
| Approval Process | Prior authorisation from Human Resources Department-2 is mandatory for any domestic speaking engagement. |
Restrictions on Service Providers and Financial Interests
A notable aspect of this order is the restriction involving third-party service providers. Personnel are strictly forbidden from participating in any international training or workshop if the funding is provided by an organisation that maintains a commercial relationship with Bangladesh Bank, such as suppliers of equipment or service contractors. This ensures that the procurement and service-evaluation processes remain untainted by personal professional benefits.
Strict Governance of Speaking Engagements
While the central bank still permits its officials to act as trainers or speakers in domestic seminars or discussion meetings organised by banks—recognising the value of knowledge transfer—this is now subject to rigorous oversight. Officials must obtain formal approval before attending, and they are strictly prohibited from accepting any form of honorarium or financial reward from the organising body.
Ultimately, the directive serves as a comprehensive instruction for staff to refrain from any activity where the receipt of a benefit could reasonably be seen as creating a conflict of interest with the central bank’s regulatory and supervisory mandates. This administrative overhaul underscores Bangladesh Bank’s commitment to high ethical standards and the maintenance of a robust, independent oversight mechanism for the nation’s banking industry.