Bangladesh must strengthen its domestic resource mobilisation as global aid flows shrink and donor priorities turn inward, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur said.

Speaking at an event organised by CARE Bangladesh at Sheraton Dhaka, he noted that aid once covered 12–14% of the national budget in 1972 but has now dropped sharply. “We must enhance our resource mobilisation capacity, which is perfectly achievable,” he said.

Mansur stressed that Bangladesh lags in revenue collection. “If India can collect revenue equal to 18–20% of GDP, and Nepal can exceed 20%, why should we be stuck at current levels?” he asked, warning that maintaining the status quo is no longer an option.

He urged reforms at the National Revenue Board, citing recent strikes as an example of entrenched resistance.

Beyond public funding, the governor highlighted the need to harness private capital through sovereign bonds, foreign borrowing, and foreign direct investment.

“The world is moving on. Industrial countries are preoccupied with their problems. We must fend for ourselves, and East Asia has shown us that it can be done,” he said.

Mansur also underscored the role of financial inclusion. Over 24,000 agent banking units and mobile services such as bKash and Nagad are expanding access, with nearly Tk 7,000 crore disbursed via digital nano-loans. However, he warned that cash dependency still fuels corruption and tax evasion.

Calling smartphones “essential,” he said, making them affordable will be key to advancing digital finance. The central bank is also pushing for 50% female participation in agent banking.