Newly-appointed Governor of Bangladesh Bank Fazle Kabir has stated that his first priority is to prevent recurrence of incidents like heist, where hackers took away over $81 million from the central bank account with the US Federal Reserve Bank in New York. Kabir made these remarks during his maiden encounter with the media at the Shahjalal International Airport after his return home from the US yesterday by Qatar Airways. From the airport, he rushed to Dhanmondi 32, where members of the Cabinet were placing floral wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabadhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Fazle Kabir, former Finance Secretary, was appointed as Governor of the Bangladesh Bank following the resignation of Dr Atiur Rahman on March 15 amid a huge row over the  $81 million heist. Prior to his new assignment, he was the Chairman of state-owned Sonali Bank. The newly appointed Governor said he would do his best in discharging the assignment that the government, specially the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister, gave him with confidence. He added that his first task would be to focus on the heist that took place in Bangladesh. He hoped the inquiry committee formed by the government would perform its duty well. Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Wednesday hinted that a “thorough recasting” is needed of the central bank management, as it is not in a “healthy condition”. The Finance Minister had said, “Various systems of Bangladesh Bank require serious reforms, as they are not in a healthy condition.” The minister, however, did not go into the details of the recasting plan, but hinted that the new Governor, Fazle Kabir, would accomplish the task assigned to him.
Muhith had informed that the new Governor would return to Bangladesh on March 18 and take over his duties a day or two later. He also said that Fazle Kabir would form a search committee to decide on the appointment of two new Deputy Governors, which could be a lengthy process.