Commerce secretary Mahbubur Rahman passes away

Commerce Ministry Secretary Mahbubur Rahman passed away early today (17 April) at a hospital in the capital. He was 58 years old. 

He died around 6:25am while undergoing treatment at Square Hospital, confirmed the ministry's Senior Information Officer Md Kamal Hossain. 

Mahbubur traveled to Cameroon from 26 to 29 March to attend the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO). After returning home, he fell ill on 11 April.

He was admitted to the hospital on 13 April after a sharp drop in blood platelet levels. He was later diagnosed with malaria during treatment.

However, despite receiving the highest level of medical treatment, he could not be saved, said Mosfikur Rahman Bitu, an epidemiologist with the government's malaria elimination programme.

"After learning that the secretary had been infected with malaria, we made every possible effort to treat him. But the malaria parasite in Africa is extremely strong and different. As a result, he could not be saved," he added.

Mahbubur was an officer of the 13th BCS (Customs and Excise) cadre. He joined as secretary of the Ministry of Commerce on 25 February 2025.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Mahbubur.

In a condolence message, the minister paid rich tribute to the deceased, describing him as a skilled, honest and dedicated official.

He further remarked that the nation has lost an experienced administrator in his untimely death, which created a vacuum difficult to fill.