In a move that could reshape Bangladesh’s currency, the Ministry of Finance has requested new designs for all denominations of banknotes, potentially excluding the image of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The decision has ignited widespread speculation, with officials hinting that Bangabandhu’s iconic portrait may no longer feature on the redesigned currency.
On 29 September, a letter from the Finance Division, signed by Deputy Secretary Elish Sharmin, directed the Bangladesh Bank to submit new design proposals. The bank’s Currency and Design Advisory Committee is now tasked with recommending appropriate designs, raising questions about the future representation of Bangabandhu on national banknotes.
Currently, Bangabandhu’s image is present on all paper notes, from Tk2 to Tk1,000. However, some central bank insiders, speaking anonymously, have suggested that if the government intended to keep his image, no new design requests would have been necessary.
The Bangladesh Bank has requested six months to draft four different design options for each denomination. These will be reviewed by the finance ministry, but it could take nearly two years for the new banknotes to enter circulation.
While officials remain tight-lipped about the specifics, the possibility of excluding Bangabandhu’s image represents a significant shift in the legacy of Bangladesh’s currency, which has featured the Father of the Nation prominently since independence.
The decision could signal a new era for Bangladesh’s currency design, as the country awaits further developments.