The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has criticized the government for taking what it called a weak step in appointing the new governor of Bangladesh Bank. At a media briefing held on Saturday at the CPD office in Dhanmondi, Research Director Khondaker Golam Moazzem said the appointment process lacked transparency and that the state had the opportunity to select a more acceptable candidate. He emphasized that a stronger and more credible procedure should have been followed for such an important position.

Moazzem noted that discussions and criticisms have emerged regarding the current governor’s links to loan defaults and special privileges, suggesting that alternative candidates could have been considered to avoid controversy. He also highlighted the need for a clear qualification framework and a formal vetting process for future appointments. CPD praised former governor Ahsan H. Mansur for his reform efforts despite challenges and suggested that retaining experienced leadership could have been beneficial.

The organization further recommended establishing a legal basis and specific criteria for future appointments, similar to India’s Reserve Bank selection process, and warned against loosening financial market regulations amid existing sectoral weaknesses.