Ambassador (Rtd.)Mohammed Farooq
Chief Information Commissioner
Information Commission
Archaeology Bahban (2nd Floor), F-4/A, Agargaon, Sher-E-Bangla Nagar,
Dhaka-1207.
Phone No- +88 (02) 9113900,
E-mail: cic@infocom.gov.bd
Career Summary:
Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1973-2006) Career Diplomat 32½ years of Experience, traveling across four
continents as a representative of Bangladesh promoting and enhancing bilateral ties with the global community.My
commitments as a diplomat largely involved in strengthening and establishing new business ties for Bangladesh
within the international forum.
Professional Experience:
-Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dhaka, Bangladesh, Section Officer, (1973-1979)
As a career diplomat, I’ve worked in various wings within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including South Asia, Legal
Division, Protocol, Consular, Administration,the European desk, Multilateral,Southeast Asia (SEA) wings and so forth.
-Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Romanian Second/First Secretary (1979-1983)
Represented Bangladesh Embassy in Bucharest, Romania and opened the Trade Mission in Bulgaria, also served as
CDA for about two years.
-Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Bhutan First Secretary/Counselor/CDA (1983-1985)
Represented Bangladesh Embassy in Thimphu, Bhutan. Contributed towards the first official trade agreement with
Bhutan.
-Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dhaka, Bangladesh, Director (1985-1989)
• Actively responsible for the Finance desk, South East Asia, SAARC, Protocol and the legal division
• Attended the SAARC summits in Kathmandu, Nepal and Islamabad, Pakistan. Also took part in various other
international conferences, workshops and meetings in various capitals across the globe and at home.
-Bangladesh
(1989-1993)
High
Commission
Canberra
Australia,
Counselor/Deputy
Head
of
Mission,
• Involved in organizing single country trade fair in collaboration with the Australian Government for several years.
• Involved with AIDAP (Australian International Development Assistance Program) for granting aids and relevant
Assistance.
• Arranged scholarships for Bangladeshi students and government officials.
• Established a club called "Friends of Bangladesh" for the purpose of bilateral unity.
-Bangladesh High Commission Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Counselor/Deputy Head of Mission (19931995)
• Major contributions included arranging Trade Fairs and the export of Bangladeshi rice for the first time to the
Malaysian market.
• Involved in legalization of half a million Bangladeshi workers.
• I also served as chief coordinator for summit level visits.
-Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dhaka Bangladesh Director of Trade and Investment, Promotions/Director
of Multilateral Economic Affairs/ Director General South East Asia (1995-1997)
• Arranged summit level visits at home and in South East Asian region.
• Involved in several important matters beneficial to mutual ties between state and the international community
-Bangladesh
(1997-1998)
Embassy
Washington
D.C
USA
Minister
(Political)
Involved in the process of establishing Bangladesh- US business council Community work relevant to strengthening
bilateral ties.
-Consulate General Bangladesh Los Angeles
Ambassador, (1998-2000)
USA, Consul General with the rank and status of
• Involved in relevant community work promotion of trade, organized several Trade Fairs, actively involved in the
campaign focused on sending Bangladeshi remittance earned in Los Angeles (through Sonali Exchange) to
Bangladesh.
• My special contributions included enhancing the Bangladeshi fishery industry by means of creating a productive
market in the West Coast of the United States.
• My tenure in Los Angeles also included vast community interactions particularly with governors and high officials of
varying countries of California aimed at strengthening ties between Bangladesh and California.
• Involved with the Asiatic Society.
• Member of the South Asian Art Council.
• Co-founder of the L.A. based Asian group of Consul General.
-Bangladesh Embassy Manila Philippines, Ambassador, (2000-2002)
• During my tenure I had particularly emphasized the importance of trade between the Philippines and Bangladesh.
As a result of my efforts, the Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products were registered by the Philippines’ Food and Drug
Administration.
• I had also organized several Trade Fairs and was involved in processing seven hundred and fifty million dollars of
ADB funds and soft loans and grants.
• I was involved in an educational exchange programs between Bangladesh and Philippines.
• Worked with the Colombo Plan Staff College as a member of the member Countries.
• I also closely worked with IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) for the promotion of rice research in
Bangladesh.
• Actively Participated as a member of OIC peace committee to monitor the peace process amidst the Muslim citizens
in Mindanao.
• Honorary citizen of Baguio.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Foundation training at GOTTA, followed by training at NIPA, trade Courses conducted by EPB and training at the
Foreign Service Academy. Also received in service training at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Ministries and
Departments.Attended several professional courses in various capitals.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Rotary member since 1998 (Los Angeles-5) till present (Dhaka Mid-town).
OTHER INVOLVEMENTS:
• Family business after retirement on 10th Jun 2007.
• Director: Meghna Life Insurance (04/07/2007-25/09/2008).
• Director: Uttara Bank (21/10/2008-11/10/2012).
EDUCATION
Dhaka University (1966-1970)
• Bachelor of Commerce, Honours
• Masters of Commerce and Business Administration (Law and Economics minor)
LANGUAGES
Fluent in Bangla and English as well as proficient in Urdu, Hindi, Romanian and Russian
ACCREDITATIONS
Countless validations made by top official of the international community honoring various contributions made within
their country.
INTERESTS
Reading and staying on top of national and international affairs particularly pertaining to business, social and global
innovations.