The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

A new currency note valued Tk 1000 hits country' s money market Monday as Bangladesh Bank Thursday formally announced the issuance of the note of the highest denomination.

BB executive director Khandakar Mujharul Haque announced the introduction of the new note--200 million pieces in the first go. The notes have been printed by Bangladesh Security Printing Corporation (BSPC).

"The notes will be released from the BB Motijheel office on Monday and later from all offices of the central bank gradually," he told journalists at the press conference.

BSPC managing director Abdullah Al Mamun and senior executives were presented at the press conference.

The note is a little larger in size than other notes in circulation while the colour is reddish-violet. Besides many other security features of the note, signed by BB governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, it bears pictures of Shaheed Minar on the front and Curzon Hall of Dhaka University on the back.

The cause of blind people was also considered in minting the new note as they would easily feel five circles printed on the right side of the note after touching the taka.

Muslim Miah, a designer of BSPC, has designed the new 1000-taka note. "Currency in circulation has doubled in ten years," Haque said explaining the need for issuing the note of highest denomination. Replying to a question, he said no country in the world could assure that their notes would not be faked. "We tried our best," he said. Replying to another query, Mamun said each of the notes cost Tk 3-4 for minting.