Mr. Fazle Kabir Former Governor, Bangladesh Bank
Mr. Fazle Kabir, former Finance Secretary to the Government of Bangladesh, joined as the 11th Governor of Bangladesh Bank from March 20, 2016 to July 3, 2020. He has had an extensive career both in civil service and the banking sector. Fazle Kabir started his professional career in 1980 in the Railway Transportation and Commercial cadre of the Bangladesh Civil Service. In 1983, he joined the BCS Administration cadre. During his 34 years of civil service, Mr. Kabir held various key positions in different ministries and also in the field administration.
He served as the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Kishoreganj district, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Director General of the National Academy for Planning and Development, Director General of the BCS Administration Academy, Secretary Ministry of Railways and Secretary of Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance. He served as a Director on the Board of Directors of Janata Bank Limited between 2008 and 2010 and Bangladesh Bank during 2012 - 2014. Prior to joining Bangladesh Bank, Fazle Kabir held the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sonali Bank Limited.
Mr. Kabir studied at Faujdarhat Cadet College for his secondary and higher secondary education, followed by his undergraduate and graduate studies at the Department of Economics of the University of Chittagong where he obtained his B.A. (Honours) and Master's degree.
In his professional career, Kabir was a resource person in the areas of Public Finance Management, Public Expenditure Management, Debt Management, and other issues at many training institutions including the National Defence College, BPATC, National Academy for Planning and Development, BCS Administration Academy, Police Staff College and National Institute of Mass Communication.
During his tenure as Governor, Mr. Kabir introduced critical risk management guidelines for banks and promoted Islamic finance through the Islami Bond System. His role in formulating banking compliance regulations, foreign risk management standards, and core banking solutions was pivotal. He expanded financial inclusion through various initiatives, such as Agent Banking, Green Transformation Fund, Export Development Fund, and Refinance Schemes for various sectors. Empowering women entrepreneurs, enhancing financial instruments, and strengthening anti-money laundering measures were among his priorities. Additionally, he supported economic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic through stimulus packages. Mr. Kabir's legacy significantly impacted Bangladesh's financial landscape.
Mr. Kabir was born in July 1955, in Hasail Banari village, Tongibari, Munshiganj district. He is married to Mrs. Mahmuda Sharmin Benu who was Secretary to the Government of Bangladesh, and they have a son.