Anisuzzaman Chowdhury appointed as new special assistant to CA

Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, an economist and policymaker, has been appointed as special assistant to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

The Cabinet Division issued a notification today (10 March), delegating the executive powers of the finance ministry to the adviser to assist the CA. 

While in the post of special assistant, he will receive the rank, salary and allowances of a state minister.

Earlier, Professor M Aminul Islam, who was special assistant to the chief adviser in charge of the Ministry of Education, resigned from his post.

Anisuzzaman Chowdhury has been playing an important role in the country's financial sector and policy formulation for a long time. 

He has worked in various international organisations and research institutes and is known as an expert in economic development and policy analysis.

He has a long association with the Ministry of Finance and has also worked as a consultant at various levels of the government. His research and analysis have been appreciated at home and abroad.

Before being appointed as special assistant, he held positions in several government and private organisations. 

His appointment is expected to further streamline the government's policy making activities.

Anisuzzaman Chowdhury has been teaching macroeconomic policy analysis and development studies at Western Sydney University in Australia for over two decades. Last year, he was awarded the title of emeritus professor at the university.

After the formation of the interim government, Anisuzzaman Chowdhury has been seen recently at various seminars and meetings in Bangladesh, offering his advice on various governmental initiatives.

From 2008 to 2016, Anisuzzaman served in top positions at the United Nations in New York and Bangkok. He was a professor of economics at Western Sydney University from 2001 to 2012 and has also taught at the National University of Singapore, the University of New England (Australia), and the University of Manitoba (Canada).

He was the founding managing editor of the Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy from 1995–2008 and is currently a co-editor on its editorial board. Additionally, he is a member of the editorial board of the Economic and Labour Relations Review.

Anisuzzaman Chowdhury has conducted extensive research on the economies of East and Southeast Asia, as well as on macro-development topics.

He holds a PhD and an MA degree from the University of Manitoba, Canada, and undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from Jahangirnagar University in Bangladesh.