Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, the newly appointed finance minister of Bangladesh, says he will serve this key position at a time when the country’s economy, as well as the global economic atmosphere, is undergoing a critical phase.
“But I want to overcome upcoming challenges with cooperation from everyone,” he told The Business Post while giving his immediate reaction on Thursday, adding, “I have just been appointed as the finance minister.
“Allow me some time to make a concrete plan. After taking charge officially, I will be able to say which policies need to be implemented to tackle the ongoing crises. I will apply all my experience to overcome the situation.”
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bangladesh Parliament, the 80-year-old minister, a freedom fighter as well, was born on February 6 in 1943 in Daktarpara of Khansama in Dinajpur.
Mahmood received a BA with Honours and an MA degree in economics from Dhaka University in 1962 and 1963 respectively. Later he joined as a lecturer in economics at Dhaka University and continued from 1964 to 1966.
Later, he joined the Pakistan Foreign Service in 1966, and also continued the Bangladesh Foreign Service till April 2001. In the same year, he joined the Bangladesh Awami League.
Mahmood participated in the ninth national parliament election for the first time from Dinajpur-4 constituency, and was re-elected for three consecutive times.
He previously served as the minister of disaster management and relief from September 2012 to November 2013. Later, he was appointed as the minister of foreign affairs on November 21, 2013 and served the position till January 7, 2019.
Mahmood was posted as vice-consul of Pakistan in New York City in 1968. In 1971, he fought as a freedom fighter in the liberation war, and was appointed as the representative to the United States from the provisional government of Bangladesh.
Ali fought for Bangladesh’s independence in the US and at the United Nations.
In his long distinguished diplomatic career, he served in various capacities at the Headquarters (Dhaka) and at Bangladesh Missions abroad which include New Delhi (First Secretary, Counsellor and Deputy High Commissioner) and Beijing (Deputy Chief of Mission with the rank of an Ambassador).
Mahmood served as the Bangladesh Ambassador to Bhutan (1986-1990), Germany (1992-1995) with concurrent accreditation to Austria, Czech Republic and Slovak Republic, Nepal (February to October 1996), and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (1996-2001) with concurrent accreditation to Ireland.
In fact, Mahmood was the first Ambassador of Bangladesh to Ireland with residence in London.
At the Headquarters, Mahmood served as a Director-General for various Wings which include Administration; International Organisations; United Nations and Economic Affairs; Policy Planning; South Asia and Human Rights.
As Additional Foreign Secretary (Bilateral), he negotiated and signed the Tin Bigha Corridor Implementation Agreement with India (1992). He also negotiated the Burmese Refugees Repatriation Agreement with Myanmar in 1992.
As a politician, he served as a member of the Awami League Central Election Committee in 2001, appointed as a member of the Central Advisory Council of the Awami League in December, 2002.
Later, he was appointed as co-chairman of Awami League Sub-Committee on International Affairs.
