Dr. M. Abu Eusuf, an economist by training, is a Professor of Development Studies at the University of Dhaka. He is the Founding Director of ‘Centre on Budget and Policy’ at the University of Dhaka. He is also the Executive Director of a national think-tank Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID).
With more than 25 years of experience, he takes pride in undertaking in-depth analytical work and policy analysis. He has been widely consulted by ADB, UNDP, UNICEF, UNCDF, the World Bank, ODI, FES Bangladesh, World Vision, CARE Bangladesh, Bangladesh Planning Commission, CUTS International, Oxfam, etc.
Dr Eusuf has delivered high-quality analytical work focusing on SDGs, fiscal policy, national budget, gender budget, financial inclusion, poverty and inequality, social protection, implementation progress evaluation, women empowerment, among others. Most recently, Dr Eusuf has worked as a Panel Member in the Preparation of White Paper on the State of Bangladesh Economy formed by the His Excellency Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh. Dr Eusuf prepared Chapter 6 of the White Paper on Domestic Revenue Mobilization.
Dr Eusuf has been commissioned by UNDP to prepare Bangladesh Voluntary National Review 2025 (March to June 2025) and Bangladesh SDG Progress Report 2024 (September 2024 to February 2025) for General Economic Division, Planning Commission, Government of Bangladesh. He has been conducting research and advocacy activities regularly related to pre and post budget analysis and publish Citizen Budget every year under his leadership. He has worked as the country researcher for Bangladesh of Open Budget Survey 2023 from January 2023 to September 2024 commissioned by Washington DC based International Budget Partnership (IBP). He worked as National Consultant for Public Finance for Children to undertake a fund flow mapping of Public Financial Management Systems from the national to Sub- national level in Bangladesh from August to December 2023 commissioned by UNICEF. He has worked as SDG Fiscal Policy Expert commissioned by UNCDF from March – August 2022. He worked as Deputy Team Leader in the study on Sensitizing and Promoting Direct Taxation to Boost Revenue and Tackle Inequality in Bangladesh commissioned by FCDO, UK with International Growth Centre and Kivu International, UK, from January 2022 to January 2023. He worked as National Consultant for the study on Gender Budget Analysis in Bangladesh with the support from Publish What You Fund, UK from May to October 2021. He has worked as a Team Leader in the study on Improving the Accessibility of the Bangladesh Budget and Encouraging Greater Budget Awareness through Local Dialogue commissioned by Financial Services Volunteer Corps (FSVC), New York, USA from February 2019 to July 2019. Dr Eusuf led the study on ‘Fiscal Stimulus Packages in Dealing with COVID-19 Consequences in Bangladesh: An Analysis of Institutional Capacity, Accountability, and Transparency’ commissioned to RAPID with the support from the Asia Foundation from November 2020 to October 2021. He has prepared report on “Preparation of Advocacy Documents for Pre-Budget National Consultation, 2021 with implications for Migrant Workers’ Welfare” from April to May 2021) commissioned by WARBE Development Foundation.
Dr Eusuf has also been consulted by ADB to support the implementation of technical assistance on Social Protection Programs in Bangladesh. Dr Eusuf was a key member of undertake the midterm implementation review of the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS).
Someone of his stature with such vast experience of working at various districts level on a regular basis is extremely rare. Dr Eusuf has undertaken rigorous field work in all divisions in Bangladesh including such challenging regions as char and haor areas. Over the past many years, Dr. Eusuf has developed a strong network with local-level administrations.
Dr Eusuf has excellent networking and lobbying skills and has connection to a wide array of government and private institutions and individuals, including, inter alia, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Industries, Planning Commission, ERD, Industry representatives, UN organisations; and various high-level government policy-makers.
Professor Eusuf holds a master’s degree from the Institute of Social Studies (Hague, the Netherlands). He was awarded PhD in Development Policy and Management (Cluster: Development Economics) from the University of Manchester as a Commonwealth Scholar.
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