AHN Exclusive: Bangladesh To Use Bangabandhu's Portrait In All Bank Notes, Coins

November 19, 2009 10:46 a.m. EST

Dhaka, Bangladesh (AHN) - The central bank of Bangladesh is going to use portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mijubur Rahman in all bank notes and coins with the new design by next year, officials told AHN Media on Thursday.

"Our board of directors has already decided to use Bangabandhu portrait in all bank notes and coins by 2010," a senior official of the Bangladesh Bank (BB), the country's central bank, told AHN in Dhaka.

He also said the central bank has sent a proposal to the finance ministry in this connection for approval.

The central bank disclosure coincided with final judgment in Bangabandhu murder case by the Supreme Court on Thursday upholding death penalties of 12 ex-army officers given by the High Court.

"The new designs of bank notes and coins have almost been finalized and sent to the authorities concerned for approval," another BB official said, adding that the central bank will issue work orders to the Security Printing Corporation for taking necessary measures in this connection.

The BB official also said many countries, including the United States, United Kingdom and India, use portraits of national leaders in their bank notes as a gesture of honor.

Currently, seven bank notes along with one currency note are in circulation while three coins are available in market.