Mostaqur Rahman replaces Ahsan H Mansur as BB governor
Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury gave his consent after the FID submitted the proposal and it was then sent to the prime minister and the president's office.
The government has appointed Md Mostaqur Rahman as the new governor of Bangladesh Bank for the next four years, removing Dr Ahsan H Mansur from the post.
The Financial Institutions Division (FID) of the finance ministry issued a circular this afternoon (25 February), confirming the appointment of Mostaqur – who is the managing director and CEO of Hera Sweaters Limited and the chairman of the BGMEA Standing Committee on Bangladesh Bank.
Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury gave his consent after the FID submitted the proposal, the sources told The Business Standard.
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The proposal was then sent to the Prime Minister's Office for approval. Once the prime minister approved, it was sent to the President's Office. Following the president's approval and order, the circular was issued.
Earlier, at around 2pm, Governor Mansur left the central bank premises in the capital's Motijheel after attending some regular office work and a press briefing.
When asked whether he had resigned, Mansur told reporters, "I have not resigned, nor have I been removed. I saw it in the media, so I am going home."
Addressing a press briefing before he left, shortly after a group of BB officials staged a protest over recent show-cause notices and transfers of three officials, Mansur had said that a "vested quarter" is trying to sabotage the recovery process of merged banks so that they may eventually return to their previous owners.
The governor said he views the activities of some officials regarding bank mergers and the recovery of weak banks as "conspiracy" and "propaganda".
FID Secretary Nazma Mobarek also met the finance minister at his office at around 1:45pm. As she was leaving, responding to questions regarding a new governor's appointment, she told reporters, "Please wait. I do not want to say anything right now. You will know if anything happens."
Ministry sources said the appointment of the new governor will be finalised today after completion of the process.
The interim government appointed Ahsan H Mansur as the BB governor for four years, removing Abdur Rouf Talukder, on 13 August -- eight days after a mass uprising ousted the Awami League government.
According to the Bangladesh Bank (Amendment) Act, 2020, the government appoints a governor for a term of four years, and they can serve as the governor until the age of 67.
