Atiur Rahman Explained

Atiur Rahman
Native Name:আতিউর রহমান
Native Name Lang:bn
Office:Governor of Bangladesh Bank
Term Start:1 May 2009
Term End:15 March 2016
Predecessor:Salahuddin Ahmed
Successor:Fazle Kabir
Birth Date:3 August 1951
Birth Place:Jamalpur, East Bengal, Pakistan (Now, Mymensingh, Bangladesh)
Spouse:Shahana Rahman
Alma Mater:University of Dhaka
SOAS, University of London
Profession:Economist
Awards:World No Tobacco Day Award (2012)
Bangla Academy Literary Award (2016)

Atiur Rahman (Bengali: আতিউর রহমান; born 3 August 1951) is a Bangladeshi development economist, author, and banker. He served as the 10th Governor of Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of Bangladesh. He has been called "the banker of the poor" for his contributions in developing the Bangladeshi economy.[1] Rahman is credited with instituting changes in the banking industry that greatly increased the country's foreign exchange reserves and brought automation and digitization in the banking sector.[2] Achievements during his tenure include the creation of the National Payment Switch; introducing automated check clearing for banks using local currency cheques; starting mobile banking; establishing the Bangladesh Electronic Funds Transfer Network (BEFTN); and installing the Bangladesh Automated Clearing House (BACH).[3] On 15 March 2016, he resigned as central bank governor after the cyber hacking and theft of US$101 million in foreign reserves from the Bangladesh Bank account held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.[4] [5]

Early life

Rahman was born in a village in Jamalpur district on 13 December 1951. His father, who was a landless farmer, had received no schooling. Rahman went to school, but had to quit after third grade due to their financial situation.

He was able to resume his education shortly after, taking the final examination for sixth grade. Eventually, he was admitted to Mirzapur Cadet College in seventh grade. A teacher, Foyez Moulavi, collected charity funds to facilitate his admission. Considering his financial inability, the college authority granted him free tuition. Thus he could continue at the college, where he passed the SSC and HSC examinations, securing positions in the merit list both times.

He earned BSS and MSS degrees in economics from the University of Dhaka.[6] With a Commonwealth scholarship, he went to SOAS, University of London to complete his Ph.D. in 1977.[7] His thesis later came out as a book under the title Peasants and Classes, published by the Oxford University Press.[8]

Career

Rahman served as a planning officer in the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation in 1975. In 1994, he established a development NGO under the title Unnayan Shamannay. He worked at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies in different capacities for nearly 28 years and retired as Senior Research Fellow on 4 April 2006.[9] He served as director of the state-owned Sonali Bank,[10] the largest in Bangladesh.[11]

In 2001, the government appointed him as chairman of the board of directors of the Janata Bank, the second-largest in the country.[12] [13] In 2006, he joined the University of Dhaka in the Department of Development Studies as a professor.

He served in Mohammed Yunus' National Task Force on Poverty Eradication. He was involved in the management of a number of socio-cultural organisations including Credit Development Forum, Monajatuddin Smriti Sangsad, Bangladesh Economic Association and Asiatic Society and Bangla Academy.[14] Rahman focused on poverty alleviation, engaging in first-hand research to find the causes of poverty and means of remedy. He worked specifically with shoal dwellers.[15]

Central bank governor

On 29 April 2009, Rahman was appointed as the 10th governor of Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of the country, for a tenure of four years.[16] He assumed the title on 3 May 2009 and was reappointed until July 2016.

As governor, he took steps to develop the economy by instituting programs including women entrepreneur loans, a loan for landless farmers and special programs around green finance.[17] Rahman worked to bring automation and digitization into the banking sector by creating the National Payment Switch. He introduced automated check clearing for banks in Bangladesh using local currency cheques; starting mobile banking; establishing the Bangladesh Electronic Funds Transfer Network (BEFTN); and instituting the Bangladesh Automated Clearing House (BACH).[18] [19] BEFTN is a system of transferring money from one bank account directly to another bank without paper money changing hands. Bangladesh foreign exchange reserves quadrupled during his tenure. In March 2016, Rahman resigned from his post following the 2016 Bangladesh Bank heist.[20] Before the resignation was made public, Rahman stated that he would resign if it would benefit his country.[21] Two days after his resignation, he returned to his position as professor at the Department of Development Studies at the University of Dhaka.[22] Currently he is the 'Bangabandhu Professor' of University of Dhaka.

After his tenure as a governor, he rejoined the Department of Development Studies. The Dhaka University Syndicate appointed him as a 'Bangabandhu Chair' on 1 November 2019.[23] He serves as Chairperson of Unnayan Shamannay.

Publications

Rahman is a regular newspaper columnist who writes on poverty, public expenditure, economic development, public welfare, and other socio-economic issues. He had published 45 titles as of 2009, of which 16 are in English and 29 in Bengali. He writes books mainly socio-economic issues, for example, his recent publication about Rabindranath Tagore's socio-economic thoughts and research. Partial list:[24]

Bengali language

English language

Recognition

Personal life

Rahman married Shahana Rahman, who is a professor of pediatrics at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and they have three daughters.[37]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Banker of the Poor . 15 October 2015 . Daily Sun . 15 March 2016.
  2. News: Atiur stresses auto payment system to accelerate dev . Daily Sun . 1 November 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181023084438/http://www.daily-sun.com/arcprint/details/87456/Atiur-stresses-auto-payment-system-to-accelerate-dev/2015-11-01 . 23 October 2018 . 23 October 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  3. News: Harmachi . Abdur Rahim . Atiur Rahman Asia's Central Banker of the Year . bdnews24.com . 6 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150106123820/https://bdnews24.com/economy/2015/01/05/atiur-rahman-asia-s-central-banker-of-the-year . 6 January 2015 .
  4. News: Bahree . Megha . Former Bangladesh Bank Chief Blames Global System for Theft . The New York Times . 22 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160625220043/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/23/business/dealbook/former-bangladesh-bank-chief-blames-others.html?&_r=0 . 25 June 2016 .
  5. News: Paul . Ruma . Bangladesh to sue Manila bank over $81-million heist . Reuters . 7 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181016203259/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cyber-heist-bangladesh/bangladesh-to-sue-manila-bank-over-81-million-heist-idUSKBN1FR1QV . 16 October 2018 .
  6. News: Rahman . Sajjadur . 4 May 2009 . A humble beginning . The Daily Star . 28 November 2012.
  7. Web site: Atiur Rahman . MIT Legatum Center . 20 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160330030021/https://legatum.mit.edu/atiur-rahman . 30 March 2016 . dead .
  8. Book: Rahman, Atiur . 1987 . Peasants and Classes: A Study in Differentiation in Bangladesh . Zed Books . 978-0-86232-345-5.
  9. Web site: List of Research Staff Movement . Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies . https://web.archive.org/web/20090804063444/http://www.bids-bd.org/staff/movement.html . 4 August 2009.
  10. News: Dr. Atiur Rahman new Chairman of Janata Bank . https://web.archive.org/web/20121023072627/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-29717421.html . dead . 23 October 2012 . . Dhaka . 2 July 2000 . 14 July 2007 . . Dr. Atiur Rahman recently taken over as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Janata Bank … . A distinguished economist Dr. Atiur Rahman was a director of Sonali Bank prior to this assignment..
  11. Web site: Overview of the Bank . 14 July 2007 . 2005 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20070703133224/http://www.sonalibank.com.bd/overview_of_the_bank.htm . 3 July 2007 . Sonali Bank, the largest & leading commercial bank of the country … .
  12. Web site: Overview of the Bank . 14 July 2007 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20070630125533/http://www.janatabank-bd.com/jb1.htm . 30 June 2007 . live . Janata Bank, the second largest commercial bank in Bangladesh ....
  13. News: Local budget for health, education proposed . https://web.archive.org/web/20121023072646/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-85776026.html . dead . 23 October 2012 . . Dhaka . 15 October 2003 . 14 July 2007 . . Senior Research Fellow of BIDS Dr Atiur Rahman … .
  14. News: Profile of Dr Atiur Rahman . https://web.archive.org/web/20160910205446/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-199095887.html . dead . 10 September 2016 . New Nation . 5 May 2009 . 9 August 2016 . HighBeam Research.
  15. News: 30 April 2009 . Atiur Rahman made 10th BB governor . https://web.archive.org/web/20090906012307/http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/04/30/65249.html . 6 September 2009 . 28 November 2012 . The Financial Express . Dhaka.
  16. Web site: Central Bank of Bangladesh . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20010826221831/http://www.bangladesh-bank.org/ . 26 August 2001 . 13 January 2022 . www.bangladesh-bank.org.
  17. Caplen . Brian . 20 February 2015 . Central banks take on development mantle . registration . The Banker.
  18. News: BB boss sees growth spurt from ACH . bdnews24.com . 8 November 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181023080703/http://bdnews24.com/business/2009/11/08/bb-boss-sees-growth-spurt-from-ach . 23 October 2018 . 23 October 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  19. News: Irshad . Shahed . 4 August 2015 . bn:আমি গরিবের ব্যাংকার, তবে ধনীদের আক্রান্ত করি না . I'm banker to the poor, the rich will not suffer . http://www.banglanews24.com/fullnews/bn/414433.html . Banglanews24.com . bn . https://web.archive.org/web/20150806051948/http://www.banglanews24.com/fullnews/bn/414433.html . 6 August 2015.
  20. News: Bangladesh bank boss Atiur Rahman quits over $100m cyber-fraud . BBC News . 15 March 2016 . 17 March 2016.
  21. News: $101m heist: Atiur quits as governor of Bangladesh Bank governor Atiur resigns over $81 M heist . The Daily Star . 15 March 2016 . 15 March 2016.
  22. News: Atiur Rahman returns to Dhaka University . bdnews24.com . 16 March 2016 . 17 March 2016.
  23. Web site: University of Dhaka . 2020-08-08 . www.du.ac.bd . en.
  24. Web site: Atiur Rahman: used books, rare books and new books @ BookFinder.com .
  25. News: Atiur Rahman receives Asia's 'Central Banker of the Year' award . bdnews24.com.
  26. Web site: Central Bank Governor of the Year, Asia 2015 .
  27. News: bn:এশিয়ার শ্রেষ্ঠ ব্যাংক গভর্নর ড. আতিউর রহমান . Asia's Best Bank governor said. Atiur Rahman . http://www.banglanews24.com/fullnews/bn/431734.html . Banglanews24.com . bn . 10 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012605/http://www.banglanews24.com/fullnews/bn/431734.html . 5 March 2016.
  28. Web site: Bangladesh Bank Home . Bangladesh Bank.
  29. Web site: British Parliament lauds Dr. Atiur Rahman for women empowerment . Atiur Rahman . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001854/http://www.atiurrahman.org/recent-activities/112-british-parliament-lauds-dr-atiur-rahman-for-women-empowerment . 4 March 2016.
  30. Web site: Gusi Peace Prize: Past Laureates.
  31. News: BB chief gets World No-Tobacco Day award . The Daily Star . 31 May 2012.
  32. News: Atiur receives Indira Gandhi Gold Plaque . The Daily Star . 8 May 2012.
  33. Web site: http://www.arthosuchak.com/archives/190157/%E0%A6%AD%E0%A7%82%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%B0/ . bn:ভূমিকম্পে সহায়তায় গভর্নরকে কৃতজ্ঞতা নেপাল প্রধানমন্ত্রীর . ArthoSuchak . 12 June 2015 . bn.
  34. News: bn:ধরিত্রীর সম্মাননা পাচ্ছেন আতিউর রহমান . Atiur Rahman Getting the Earth Award . http://www.banglanews24.com/fullnews/bn/453462.html . Banglanews24.com . bn . 30 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160325134100/http://www.banglanews24.com/fullnews/bn/453462.html . 25 March 2016.
  35. News: bn:বাংলা একাডেমি সাহিত্য পুরস্কার তুলে দিলেন প্রধানমন্ত্রী . The Prime Minister gave the Academy Award for Bengali literature . http://www.banglanews24.com/fullnews/bn/462091.html . Banglanews24.com . bn . 1 February 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160325181459/http://www.banglanews24.com/fullnews/bn/462091.html . 25 March 2016.
  36. Web site: Prof. Dr. Atiur Rahman appointed as 'Bangabandhu Chair' at DU . University of Dhaka.
  37. Web site: Dr. Atiur Rahman . Bangladesh Bank . 6 November 2015.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Atiur Rahman".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.