United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Bank is set to release a new series of banknotes from June 2, ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, according to an announcement made by the central bank on Monday. In the first phase, the newly designed Tk 20, Tk 50, and Tk 100 notes will be introduced to the public. The notes are expected to be available by June 2 or 3, with additional denominations to be released in phases.  Bangladesh to introduce new banknotes before Eid While the full circulation of all new notes will take time, Bangladesh Bank plans a limited initial release. The fresh designs aim to better reflect the nation’s economic progress, natural beauty and cultural heritage. At a recent event, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur said the new notes prioritise Bangladesh’s nature, history and culture. Commenting on the design, Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said, “The new designs do not feature any individual’s picture. The notes highlight the country’s scenery and heritage.” Stock market ends on a positive note with majority shares gaining Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan further told UNB, “The Governor has already announced what the new note designs will be like. These notes will not feature any individual’s picture. Instead, they have been designed to emphasise the country’s heritage, nature, and cultural artefacts.”

Bangladesh is set to introduce new banknotes with fresh designs, some of which will notably exclude the image of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman before Eid-ul-Azha. The new currency designs will instead feature the themes of the July Revolution martyrs, youth, the Sundarbans, and various aspects of heritage and culture. Sources indicate that the Tk 20 note, featuring the images of Kantajiu Temple and Buddhist temples, will be released on May 27. The Tk 50 note, adorned with Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin's famine painting and Atia Mosque, is expected to be in circulation on May 29 or 30. The Tk 1000 note, showcasing the Bangabhaban and the National Martyrs' Memorial, is scheduled for release on June 2. Due to delays in paper supply from Europe, the Tk 5 note, featuring the likenesses of Abu Sayeed and Mugdha, will be introduced after Eid. Arif Hossain Khan, the spokesperson and executive director of Bangladesh Bank, confirmed the development, saying, "The designs for the new banknotes have already been finalised.” “The paper has been procured and the printing of several different notes, including the Tk 1000 one, has begun. This time, no note will feature a full human portrait. Instead, the new note designs will incorporate the themes of the July Revolution martyrs, youth, the Sundarbans and various aspects of heritage and culture,” he added. A Bangladesh Bank official further elaborated that the Tk 5 note will feature the images of Abu Sayeed and Mugdha, while the Tk 10 note will display a symbol of youth unity and the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The Tk 100 note will depict the UNESCO-recognised Sundarbans' spotted deer and tiger, symbolising the currency transformation after the previous government's departure. The Tk 200 note will feature symbols of religious diversity, including a mosque, temple, church and pagoda, and the Tk 500 note will carry the image of the historic Ahsan Manzil.  Global confidence in Bangladesh growing, says Prof Yunus The design, paper, security features, and all other aspects of the new banknotes involve international collaboration, and the entire process, including tendering, typically takes 5 to 7 months. Consequently, the plan to release the notes before Eid al-Fitr could not be fully realised. Historically, Bangladesh introduced its own paper currency on March 4, 1972, following independence. The first note, featuring a map, was a Tk 1 denomination. In 1973, Bangladesh issued Tk 5, Tk 10, and Tk 100 notes.  Algeria seeks cooperation with Dhaka in education Subsequently, Tk 50 and Tk 500 notes were introduced in 1976. The Tk 20 note was issued in 1979, and the Tk 2 note was launched in 1988. On July 17, 2009, the highest denomination banknote, the Tk 1000, was introduced. The most recent addition was the Tk 200 note in 2020.   

Bangladesh Bank (BB) will start releasing new notes of taka in exchange of old notes from June 29   ahead of Eid-Ul-Azha. The exchange will continue till July 7. People can collect bundles of new notes of Tk 10, 20 and 100 by exchanging a similar amount of taka as per requirement for a single time during banking hours on the working days. The BB will maintain the serial of the notes so that a single person cannot collect new notes several times. Md. Serajul Islam, executive director and BB spokesperson, told the UNB that around Tk 29,000 crore has been kept for exchange ahead of Holy Eid-Ul-Azha second week of July. The volume of new notes can be increased if required as per the demand of different commercial banks, he said. People also can collect metallic coins of different value as per requirement from the Bangladesh Bank headquarters in Motijheel, Dhaka. Read: BB wants to release Tk 25,000 crore new notes before Eid Besides, the new notes can be collected from the following branches of banks-Jatrabari Branch of NCC Bank, Abdul Gani Road Corporate Branch of Janata Bank, National Press Club Corporate Branch of Agrani Bank, Mirpur Branch of NRB Global Bank, Karwan Bazar Branch of Southeast Bank, Bashundhara City Branch of Social Islami Bank (Panthapath), Chak Bazar branch of Uttara Bank, Ramna Corporate Branch of Sonali Bank, Uttara Branch of Dhaka Bank, Gulshan Branch of IFIC Bank, Mohakhali Branch of National Bank, Mohammadpur Branch of First Security Islami Bank, Rajarbagh Branch of Janata Bank, Sadarghat Branch of Pubali Bank.   The new notes are found at Southeast Bank's Kakrail Branch, One Bank's Basabo Branch, BRAC Bank's Shyamoli Branch, Dutch-Bangla Bank's SME & Agriculture Branch, Dakshin Khan, The Premier Bank's Banani Branch, Bank Asia Dhanmondi Branch, The City Bank's Begum Rokeya Sarani branch, Al-Arafa Islami Bank's Nandipara Branch, Prime Bank's Elephant Road Branch, Mercantile Bank's Narayanganj Branch, Exim Bank's Shimrail Branch, Islami Bank Bangladesh's Gazipur Chowrasta Branch, UCBL’s Gazipur Chowrasta Branch, Uttara Bank’s Savar branch, Mutual Trust Bank’s Savar Branch and Trust Bank’s Keraniganj Branch.