Our Team
The BUILD Team
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Listen to the pulse of the private sector development. Read our bi-monthly newsletter, Connect.
Listen to the pulse of the private sector development. Read our bi-monthly newsletter, Connect.
Ferdaus Ara Begum has vast experience of working with the private sector since 1987. A master’s degree holder in economics from the University of Dhaka, she completed her Post-Graduate Diploma in International Economics and Institutions. She received training from AIT, Thailand, on Project Implementation and Management. She attended training on services and international trade law and development in Esami, Arusha and Tanzania. She has previously acted as the In-Charge of the DCCI Research Cell for several years, served as Secretary of the DCCI for some time, and worked as Executive Director of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry for several years.
She has managed numerous projects and coordinated many national and international programmes, contributing her extensive expertise to the areas of policy research and advocacy, SME development and promotion, research on Multilateral Training System (MTS), project management, women entrepreneurship development, and chamber management. She has also worked for CIPE, ITC, JETRO, GIZ in different capacities.
Md. Tahmid Zami works as the Additional Research Director at BUILD. He is the coordinator for the Sustainability and Green Growth Working Committee (SGGWC) of BUILD and coordinates the Textile Sustainability Platform (TSP) at BUILD. He has nine years of research and project management experience related to public policy, private sector development, and knowledge cooperation. He has completed his Bachelor of Business Administration from IBA, University of Dhaka, and master’s from the Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka.
His experience and expertise cover areas such as private sector development and regulatory reform, policy advocacy, competition policy, sustainable transport, and regional cooperation. He has worked on several projects supported by a range of development partners, including UKAID, IFC, the Asia Foundation, OIC, CASS, among others. He has managed projects for several ministries, including the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, and so forth.
Pallab Bhattacherja is an experienced research and development professional with over 11 years of private sector engagement, specializing in research, project management, consultancy, administration, business development, training and stakeholder collaboration. He has expertise in trade and business development, climate finance, sustainability, and policy advocacy.
Currently serving as an Additional Research Director at BUILD, Pallab leads and supervises the research unit, ensuring strategic alignment across research initiatives. He is responsible for initiating new projects, building partnerships, and maintaining connections with stakeholders from both public and private sectors, as well as with donor agencies. Previously, he worked as an Admin and Business Development Officer (TTBC) in the IFC-led PaCT (Partnership for Cleaner Textile) programme on cleaner production and resource efficiency advisory services. As Senior Assistant Secretary (R&D) at iART-BKMEA, he worked in policy advocacy. Pallab has also contributed to the NBR-led National Single Window (NSW) working group, ADB, AFD, Oxfam, SEIP, GIZ, Global Affairs Canada, ILO-Better Work and government projects. Pallab holds a Bachelor of Social Science and a Master’s in Economics from Rajshahi University, Bangladesh.
Kanis Fatama works as the Senior Research Associate at BUILD. Kanis has graduated from Comilla Victoria Government College in accounting and obtained her master’s in accounting from the same institution. In BUILD, she coordinates the Trade and Investment Working Committee. She also serves as a focal point of the Private Sector Development Policy Coordination Committee (PSDPCC) established at the Prime Minister’s Office. She worked for the Fish and Fisheries Business Start-up Licenses: A Regulatory Guide published in September 2014 in the International Investors’ Forum. The Honourable Prime Minister unveiled the publication. She has also worked on the publication Business Start-up Licenses: A Regulatory Guide.
Some of her research areas are, among others, business process re-engineering of Certification Mark (CM) license issued by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute (BSTI), cost simulation for selected imported products in Bangladesh, policy simplification for supermarket operations in Bangladesh, import policy regime, and service export.
Shahriar Rawshon is a Senior Research Associate at BUILD, primarily working with the Financial Sector Development Working Committee (FSDWC). Her expertise spans cost simulation, FDI policy development, bond market, export financing, alternative financing, SME development, skill development, business process reengineering, and export diversification. She leverages her experience in coordinating research initiatives contributing to projects and publications for BUILD.
Shahriar holds an MBA (finance) from BRAC University and a BBA (finance and banking, production and operations management) from IUBAT and is currently pursuing an MPhil at Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP). Previously, she worked as a Research Assistant at Grameenphone and IUBAT. Her skills include project management, banking policy research, issue briefing, leadership, client handling, and technical tools like database management, mind maps, Visio, and SPSS. She has several journal publications and has attended national and international conferences.
Md Nooruzzaman is a Senior Research Associate at the Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD), a leading private sector think tank focused on fostering better business environments and improving economic governance in Bangladesh. He is recognised as a seasoned expert with a robust academic and professional background in macroeconomic analysis, taxation, public finance, business policy formulation, and World Trade Organisation (WTO) issues, with over a decade of experience in economic research, policy advocacy, and strategic advisory assistance to the private sector.
Md Kamran Hasnain is a Senior Research Associate at Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD), where he specialises in research, data analysis, and policy advocacy. With a robust background in international business, finance, and taxation, he has previously provided clients with essential support for regulatory compliance and advisory services on VAT and tax matters.
Md Kamran holds both an MBA and a BBA in International Business from the University of Dhaka, and he is pursuing further qualifications with the CMA certification, having completed the Advanced Level-I from the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB). He is also pursuing a postgraduate diploma in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL), focusing on the development sector. Furthermore, he also completed various training programs related to government service cost measurement, individual and corporate income tax return filing, and income tax appeal management.
Tanjila Marjahan is a Research Associate at Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) with an academic background in economics, holding both BSS and MSS degrees from the University of Dhaka, specialising in economic analysis and policy development.
Within BUILD, Tanjila contributes to the SME Development Working Committee (SMEDWC). She conducted a comprehensive study on industrial development, offering insights into the sector’s growth potential and policy recommendations. She actively participates in the preparation of reform policy papers, concept notes, policy briefs, and other BUILD publications.
Asif Haider is a development enthusiast with BSS and MSS degrees in Economics from Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP). As an Econ graduate, his interest lies in Bangladesh’s overall economic scenario and development. He demonstrates a solid commitment to learning and achieving professional growth in his early career.
Currently, he is working under the Financial Sector Development Working Committee (FSDWC) of BUILD. Apart from this, his research enthusiasm lies in the LDC graduation of Bangladesh, blue economy, green economy, policymaking, and collaboration between Bangladesh’s public and private sectors. He is also keen on the export basket diversification of Bangladesh and aspires to work sincerely to make Bangladesh a developed country. He enjoys networking with public and private sector stakeholders and flourishes knowledge through dialogues and meetings. He is also an amateur op-ed writer at a Bangladeshi daily.
Jannatul Romana Hashi is an economics graduate from the University of Dhaka, currently working as a Research Associate at Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD). With a strong background in research and market analysis from her previous work, she has developed a strong understanding of consumer behaviour.
In her current role at BUILD, Romana actively contributes to the SME Development Working Committee, focusing on initiatives that drive sustainable growth and reduce the gender gap in economic participation. Her professional journey reflects her commitment to fostering meaningful societal impact through economic research and development.
Mahira Gazi Turna is a research associate specialising in development studies, holding BSS and MSS degrees from the University of Dhaka, focusing on gender, sustainable development, and human and social development.
As a member of BUILD, Mahira works closely with the Sustainability and Green Growth department. She has assisted in conducting in-depth research on green growth and circular economy in Bangladesh’s garments industry and provided insights through field visits and sectoral analysis. Additionally, she has experience in preparing policy papers, concept notes, and research briefs, contributing to developing informed recommendations and impactful publications.
Pallab Biswas is an Admin Associate at BUILD. He holds a BA and MA in accounting, having trained in HR and admin and has technical proficiency in financial management and accounting.
He mainly provides administrative support, undertakes clerical tasks and prepares statutory accounts. Full compliance with BUILD rules and regulations, he maintains financial processes, financial records and reports, and audit follow-up, including implementing the practical internal control framework. He also prepares periodic accounting records, financial requests and expenditure statements assisting with the projects to prepare draft budget revisions, budget reprisal, cost-sharing and other financial and accounting reports. In addition, he monitors and overviews cost-sharing and trust fund agreements follow. He maintains proper control of the supporting documents for payments, preparing all types of vouchers for managing projects and PO vouchers for management and development projects.