The government has decided to appoint Ahsan H Mansur as the next governor of Bangladesh Bank, succeeding Abdur Rouf Talukder. Mansur confirmed this development to the news media, stating that he had discussed the position with the finance adviser.
In a related move, sources within the financial institution division informed that the current age limit of 67 years for the position of governor is expected to be removed soon, potentially paving the way for Mansur’s appointment.
Introduction to Ahsan H Mansur
Dr. Ahsan H Mansur began his career in 1976 as a lecturer in the Department of Economics at Dhaka University. That same year, he left for Canada to pursue higher studies in economics. While a graduate student and research assistant, he also taught undergraduate economics courses at the University of Western Ontario from 1978 to 1981.
In 1981, Mansur joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under its Economist Program and completed his PhD in Economics, focusing on general equilibrium analysis, from the University of Western Ontario in 1982.
Dr. Mansur’s extensive career at the IMF saw him work across various regions, including the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Central America. He held significant roles in both functional and area departments of the IMF, including the Fiscal Affairs, Policy Review and Development, Middle East and Central Asia, and Asian departments.
Notably, he served as the IMF Senior Resident Representative to Pakistan from 1998 to 2001 and as a fiscal adviser to the Minister of Finance in Bangladesh from 1989 to 1991. During his tenure in Bangladesh, Dr. Mansur played a key role in the successful introduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT) in 1991.
Most recently, he served as the Division Chief of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Division and was the IMF Mission Chief for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman.
After taking early retirement from the IMF, Dr. Mansur co-founded the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh, where he served as its director and executive director. He has also been a prolific author, with numerous publications in prestigious journals.
