Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman Passes Away from Malaria

Bangladesh Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman passed away early Friday morning while undergoing treatment for malaria at a private hospital in the capital. He was 58.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce, the senior civil servant breathed his last at 6:25 am at Square Hospital. He had been admitted to the facility last Monday following a rapid decline in his health and a sharp drop in his blood platelet count. Doctors confirmed a malaria diagnosis shortly before his condition deteriorated.

A Distinguished Career in Public Service

Mahbubur Rahman was a highly respected member of the 13th batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (Customs and Excise) cadre. His journey in public service began in April 1994 as an assistant commissioner under the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

Over three decades, he served as Deputy, Joint, and Additional Commissioner across various custom houses and VAT commissionerates until 2010. Before his final appointment, he served as Additional Secretary (Administration) at the Information and Communication Technology Division. He was appointed as the Commerce Secretary on February 25, 2025, where he played a key role in managing national trade and market stability.

Born in Mathbaria, Pirojpur, Rahman was an alumnus of the prestigious Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at Dhaka University. His sudden demise has sent a wave of shock through the administrative ranks with colleagues remembering him as a dedicated and brilliant officer.

Funeral arrangements and burial details in his hometown of Pirojpur are expected to be announced by the family later today.