B Mirror Report: Bangladesh Bank has issued a new directive prohibiting its officials and employees from participating in local or foreign training programmes, seminars, symposiums or workshops funded by banks, financial institutions or organisations that receive services from the central bank.

The directive, issued on Wednesday by the Human Resources Department-2 of Bangladesh Bank, is aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and preventing conflicts of interest within the financial sector.

According to the order, officials and employees of the central bank will not be allowed to join any training or workshop organised with funding from public or private banks and financial institutions, either as participants or trainers.

The directive also bans Bangladesh Bank officials from attending overseas seminars, workshops or similar events funded by organisations that receive services from the central bank or supply goods and services to it, unless such participation falls under existing contractual arrangements.

However, in special cases, officials may take part as speakers with prior approval from the Human Resources Department-2. Even in such cases, they will not be allowed to receive any honorarium, fees or financial benefits from the organising institution.

Bangladesh Bank said employees must avoid all events and activities that could create a conflict of interest with the responsibilities and operations of the central bank.

The instruction has been issued with approval from the appropriate authorities and will take effect immediately.

Officials concerned said the move is intended to preserve the neutrality, professionalism and institutional integrity of the country’s financial sector regulator, while preventing any questions regarding the relationship between the central bank and regulated financial institutions.