DHAKA: The number of millionaires is on the rise in the country at a higher pace every year, in an inequitable way though as political clout perceivably played a role.

By official count, the number has risen 492 times in last three and a half decades since 1975—the turning-point in national polity that marked off a regime change towards national assets going into private ownerships through denationalization.

There were 47 millionaires in the country in 1975 and the number climbed over 23,000 at the end of 2009, according to a list of the tycoons made by Bangladesh Bank.

However, names of many other millionaires remained out of the BB count.

The central bank prepared the report on the basis of information provided by the scheduled banks.

“But owners of the illegal wealth may have more than one bank account in their names. It is difficult to identify them,” Bangladesh Bank sources said.

The scenario of the growing number of millionaire during the post-independence Bangladesh showed that the number of the fat cats has doubled and tripled in last four decades with the change in government power, it is stated about the perks associated with political power.

Till the 1980s, small and mid-level depositors used to enjoy special attention in the banks while after the 1990s depositors who deposited over a million dominated the banking circles.

According to Bangladesh Bank, 23,130 millionaires deposited Tk 1,00,544 crore with the banking sector till December 31, 2009.

Of them, some 1,854 millionaires deposited money with four nationalized and specialized banks, 13,679 with private banks and 1,966 with the foreign banks.

Their deposits were worth Tk 31,656 crore with the nationalized commercial banks, Tk 6,997 crore with nationalized and specialized banks, Tk 51,630 crore with private banks and Tk 10,260 crore with the foreign banks.


Number of millionaires provided by Bangladesh Bank:

BDST 1635 HRS AUG 13, 2010