S.M. Ferdous Alam

S.M. Ferdous Alam is the Head of Government Engagement at TRACE Consulting, where he leads high-level collaboration with ministries, regulators, and standards bodies to drive regulatory reform, standards of modernization, and governance innovation. As a former civil service officer, he guides government-focused programs that strengthen quality infrastructure, streamline trade-related regulations, and improve public service delivery through modern, technology-enabled systems. With over 32 years of executive leadership across key ministries, directorates, and state-owned enterprises, Mr. Alam has been working as a distinguished Bangladesh Civil Service officer (Administration Cadre, 13th Batch). He retired at the highest civil service tier as a Grade 1 officer and is currently on Post-Retirement Leave (PRL). Throughout his career, he led major regulatory reforms, institutional modernization, and technology‑driven governance initiatives. His integrity and reform leadership have been recognized nationally, including being a two‑time recipient of the National Integrity Award (শুদ্ধাচার পুরস্কার) in 2018 and 2024.

From 2023 to 2025, Mr. Alam served as Director General (Grade 1) of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), where he directed the national standards body, overseeing quality infrastructure, product certification, conformity assessment, and laboratory operations to align Bangladesh’s industrial output with international trade parameters. 

Previously, as Chairman (Grade 1) of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), he shaped strategic operational policies for inland maritime routes and logistics. He also served as additional secretary and joint secretary in the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, contributing to sectoral policies, regulatory frameworks, and resource management strategies.

Earlier, Mr. Alam advanced technical education and ICT as Director of the Directorate of Technical Education and the National Academy for Computer Training and Research (NECTAR) and built strong field administration credentials as DDLG, ADM, and ADC in Bogura; UNO in Shariakandi and Sherpur; and Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Magistrate in multiple postings. He holds an M.Sc. in Horticulture and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Agriculture from Bangladesh Agricultural University, a diploma in Computer & Information Systems, and has completed high‑level programs at Duke University, BPATC, and in South Korea. Exceptionally bilingual in Bangla and English, with advanced Arabic, he has represented Bangladesh in international trade seminars and bilateral visits across Europe and Asia.