Abul Barkat (born September 27, 1954) is a Bangladeshi economist and a professor in the Department of Economics, University of Dhaka. In addition to his teaching, from 2009 to 2014 he was the former chairman of Janata Bank Ltd.[1] He is the present elected president of the Bangladesh Economic Association. He is a freedom fighter.[2]
Abul Barkat | |
|---|---|
আবুল বারকাত | |
| Born | September 27, 1954 |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Education | PhD (Economics) |
| Alma mater | Moscow Institute of National Economy, now Plekhanov Russian University of Economics |
| Occupation(s) | Researcher, economist, professor |
Early life and education
editBarkat was born on September 27, 1954, in Kushtia District to his parents Abul Quasem and Mst Nurun Nahar. Abul Barkat is the third child of his parents. His wife is Shahida Akhter. They have three daughters. Abul Barkat passed SSC exam from Kushtia Zilla School in 1970 and HSC from Kushtia Government College in 1973, both with first division with distinction. Abul Barkat graduated from Moscow Institute of National Economy, now Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in 1978 obtaining highest grades in all courses with honors first class and then completed a PhD from the same institute, in development economics in 1982.
Career
editIn 1982, Barkat started his professional career by joining the Department of Economics in University of Dhaka. He is the immediate past chairman of the same department. He was the Chairman of Janata Bank Limited from 2009 to 2014.[3] After his appointment he refused a company car, and special lifts and chairs for himself.[4]
During Barkat's chairmanship at Janata Bank, about Tk. 5,504 crore loan or 25 percent of bank's capital base, was provided to AnonTex Group, owned by Md Younus Badal.[5][6] He criticized Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Minister of Finance, for questioning the governance of Janata Bank and denying an extension to his chairmanship.[7][8] Barkat said Muhith was not loyal to either Awami League or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and had undue favors from the CSR fund.[7][8] He called Muhith a "retard" two years later.[9]
Barkat was elected president of the Bangladesh Economic Association at the end of 2017.[10]
Barakt received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in 2022.[11]
Personal life
editBarkat was married to Sahida Akhtar, a medical doctor, who died on 6 May 2021.[12]
References
edit- ^ "dhaka.gov.bd". Archived from the original on 2013-12-05. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
- ^ redtimesbd24 Archived March 3, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Overview of the Bank". janatabank-bd.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-03. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
- ^ "Barakat sets noble mark Signals he means simple business in Janata". The Daily Star. 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ^ "Janata Bank Loan Scam: Whole bank was in it". The Daily Star. 2018-02-07. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ^ "Janata Bank loan scandal must be investigated".
- ^ a b "Ex-Janata Bank chief Barkat questions Muhith's honesty". Ex-Janata Bank chief Barkat questions Muhith's honesty. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ^ a b "Muhith lashes out Abul Barakat". Prothomalo. 2014-09-09. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ^ "Prof Abul Barkat calls Finance Minister Muhith a 'retard'". Bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ^ "Barakat elected president of Economic Association". Dhaka Tribune. 24 December 2017.
- ^ "Conferral of "the Order of the Rising Sun" upon Prof. Dr. Abul Barkat and "the Order of the Sacred Treasure" upon Mr. Khan Jahangir Alam, Mr. Samar Cruze, Mr. Abdul Gafur, Mr. Sujit Kumar Barua, and Mr. Parimal Barua". Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh.
- ^ "Janata Bank mourns Dr Sahida Akhtar's death". The Business Standard. 2021-05-06. Retrieved 2024-09-02.