The appointment of Mostakur Rahman as the new Governor of Bangladesh Bank, the nation’s central bank, is now in its final stages. Multiple sources within the Ministry of Finance confirmed the development on Wednesday, 25 February. Mr Rahman is expected to succeed Dr Ahsan H. Mansur, whose tenure is drawing to a close.
According to ministry insiders, the government considers new leadership essential to advance ongoing financial sector reforms, restore discipline in banking, and stabilise the country’s foreign currency reserves. With a long record of experience and active involvement at policy-making levels, Mostakur Rahman has been chosen to steer the central bank through its next phase.
Dr Mansur was appointed by the interim government following the conclusion of the previous administration, tasked with restoring confidence in the financial sector. At the time, the banking system faced acute liquidity shortages, rising non-performing loans, and declining foreign currency reserves. During his tenure, Dr Mansur implemented stringent monetary policies, restructured interest rate frameworks, and took steps to enhance transparency within the financial sector.
Before Dr Mansur, the Governor was Abdur Rauf Talukdar, whose tenure coincided with global economic turbulence, the fallout from the Russia–Ukraine conflict, and rising import costs, all of which exerted pressure on the country’s economic stability and on central bank policy-making.
As the new Governor, Mostakur Rahman will face several pressing challenges:
Implementing effective monetary policy to control inflation
Promoting governance in the banking sector and reducing non-performing loans
Maintaining stability in foreign currency reserves
Accelerating digital transformation within the financial sector
Recent Bangladesh Bank Governors
| No. | Name | Tenure Start | Context / Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abdur Rauf Talukdar | Previous government period | Global economic pressure |
| 2 | Dr Ahsan H. Mansur | Interim government | Financial reforms and stabilisation |
| 3 | Mostakur Rahman | 25 February (proposed) | Policy continuity and accelerated reforms |
Economists emphasise that in today’s era of global uncertainty, the central bank’s leadership is critical. Decisions regarding interest rates, inflation control, exchange rate management, and banking sector stability all hinge on the Governor’s discretion.
Observers believe that once Mostakur Rahman assumes office, he will not only maintain policy continuity but also inject renewed momentum into structural reforms. The effectiveness of his leadership will be pivotal in safeguarding Bangladesh’s overall economic stability in the months ahead.