"I'll not hesitate to take any decision for the benefit of 10 people even if it harms two," he told bankers at a reception accorded to him in Dhaka.

Association of Bankers Bangladesh (ABB), an organisation of the managing directors of commercial banks, accorded the reception, where they also bid farewell to immediate past governor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed.

The meeting urged the new governor to utilise the central bank as a facilitator for the commercial banks besides its role as the regulator for the banks and financial institutions.

Appreciating his predecessor's role in strengthening the banking industry through reforms, Dr Saleh said he would carry on his remaining tasks.

He said he would try to help develop the economy, particularly through ensuring access to banking services, for the backward section of the population.

He called upon the bankers to be sincere about any lending programme so that the borrowers can quickly utilise their borrowed money to ensure optimum use of the expensive funds.

"It does not mean that the bankers will have to lend money everywhere," he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Fakhruddin expected that the new governor would use his skill to complete his unfinished jobs and stressed the need for addressing two main issues -- corporate governance and core risk management -- as major challenges for the banks and financial institutions.

ABB Chairman Aminuzzaman recalled the contributions of Dr Fakhruddin towards restoring discipline in the banking and financial institutions.

He said the immediate past governor had taken some measures that affected the banking sector but those were beneficial in the greater interest of the financial sector.

Aminuzzaman told the meeting that the central bank has so far removed 10-12 managing directors of the commercial banks for their involvement in various irregularities.

He urged the new governor to take similar actions against those who were also responsible for committing such misdeeds.