The interim government on Tuesday, appointed Ahsan H Mansur, a distinguished economist, as the new governor of the Bangladesh Bank.

He will serve a four-year term, as announced by the Financial Institutions Division.

Mansur expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating that he would collaborate with all stakeholders in the financial sector to restore stability and establish a solid foundation. His primary focus would be to address high inflation and stabilize the financial sector.

Later that evening, the interim government’s law ministry lifted the age limit of 67 years for the position of central bank governor.

Mansur, who is currently 72, will benefit from this change. The age limit was previously raised from 65 to 67 years in July 2020 to accommodate the reappointment of then-governor Fazle Kabir.

Mansur pointed out that despite July’s inflation rate reaching a 13-year high of 11.66 per cent, the previous administration did not adequately address the issue. Controlling inflation remains a top priority for any central bank.

He noted that the governor’s decisions would also influence money supply, exchange rate stability, and inflation control. Additionally, the central bank’s policies have significant effects on the standard of living, international trade, investment, and employment.

Mansur began his career as a lecturer in the Department of Economics at Dhaka University in 1976.

He then pursued advanced studies in economics in Canada, where he also taught undergraduate courses at the University of Western Ontario from 1978 to 1981.

In 1981, Mansur joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under its Economist Program and completed his PhD in Economics with a focus on general equilibrium analysis from the University of Western Ontario in 1982.

Throughout his extensive career at the IMF, he worked in various regions including the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Central America.

He held positions in key departments such as Fiscal Affairs, Policy Review and Development, and also served as the IMF Senior Resident Representative to Pakistan from 1998 to 2001.

Additionally, he was the Fiscal Advisor to the Minister of Finance of Bangladesh from 1989 to 1991.