DHAKA, Bangladesh (CU)_Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, urged insurance firms to take measures to increase public awareness about the benefits of having insurance policies. She said: “There is a lack of awareness among the people about the benefits of insurance. I hope that those who are involved in the insurance sector will take initiatives so that awareness among people could be increased.”
The PM was speaking at an event commemorating National Insurance Day 2021, which was held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. She attended the programme digitally from the Gono Bhaban. “Mujib Borsher Ongikar, Bima Hok Sobar” was the theme of this year’s National Insurance Day. The PM said that people will open various types of insurance policies, if awareness can be raised. “For this, widespread publicity is urgently needed,” she noted.
She claims that broad health insurance facilities should be available in the country because people are currently unaware of such insurance activities. “Once the Coronavirus pandemic is over, I think such awareness will be created among people in this regard,” she said. The PM stressed the importance of implementing the measures taken by the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority in order to raise trust in the insurance sector.
The PM mentioned that as the country’s economy expands and improves, the value of insurance will rise. She stressed the importance of appropriate payment of insurance claims and cautioned that false claims on insurance should be avoided. “There were some instances of claiming excessive money than the actual losses from the insurance companies…you must remain alert to this,” she noted.
Speaking about the insurance sector’s growth, the Prime Minister announced that the government would send some people abroad to pursue actuarial degrees. Their studies will be paid for by the government, but they must return home after they have finished their studies and work. She said: “Five people have been selected for this and they will return and work for the development of the insurance sector.”
The PM emphasized the role of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation, in the insurance industry. She said that to augment his income, Bangabandhu worked in the insurance industry while involved in politics. The PM said the government is implementing a Tk 632-crore project for the growth of the insurance sector in partnership with the World Bank in order to put all insurance companies under automation.
