Mohammad Ehteshamul Hoque Trade SpecialistAsian Development Bank

As a technical expert, Ehtesham supports ADB member countries in customs modernization, trade facilitation, and regional cooperation initiatives. His focus is to support governments strengthen capacity in reducing time and cost of doing business through digitization and simplification of systems and procedures. Ehtesham has over twenty years’ experience with both inter-government and public institutions related to trade facilitation, rules, and best practices, including work with the World Customs Organization, WHO Convention Secretariat and UNOPS. Prior to joining ADB, Ehtesham was a Technical Officer with the WHO Secretariat for the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in which his primary role was to draft and publish global progress reports on implementation of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Control. He also conducted needs assessment studies and supported Parties to the Protocol controlling illicit trade in tobacco. He worked for the World Customs Organization in two stints: first at the HQ in Brussels as Professional Associate in the Procedures and Facilitation Subdirectorate and later in Bangkok as PGS with the AP Security Project. Ehtesham was a first-track civil servant for the Government of Bangladesh and served National Board of Revenue and the largest custom house in Chittagong in leadership capacities. As a WCO-accredited Technical and Operational Advisor in Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), he delivered in-country missions to many low- and middle-income economies. He has a master’s and graduate diploma in International Customs Law and Administration from the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, University of Canberra and another MSc in Development Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London (on Chevening Scholarship).