Abdul Awal Mintoo, Member of Parliament from Feni-3 (Daganbhuiyan–Sonagazi), has been appointed Minister of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Mr. Mintoo is a politician and a successful businessman. He has been working for more than three decades on agriculture, energy, and alternative energy. A former president of the FBCCI, he is also an author, with a number of books published both at home and abroad.
His appointment has also brought an end to the long wait of the people of Feni for representation in the cabinet. Their expectations were fulfilled on Tuesday afternoon when he took oath as minister.
In the current global context, climate change diplomacy has become a major challenge for countries worldwide. For Bangladesh—one of the most climate-vulnerable nations—this challenge is even greater. Sector stakeholders believe that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman appointed Mintoo to this role after considering all relevant factors.
Previously, BNP’s late chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was elected as an MP from Feni-1 and served three terms as Prime Minister. From the same constituency, Lt. Colonel (Retd.) Zafar Imam, Bir Bikrom, was elected as an MP and served as minister in several ministries, including Textiles and Jute and later Forest and Environment. However, after Begum Khaleda Zia stepped down as Prime Minister in 2006, the people of Feni did not have a minister for a long period.
In the recently held 13th National Parliamentary Election, BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo contested from Feni-3 for the first time and won by a large margin. Since then, speculation had been growing around his possible inclusion in the cabinet. Local residents had hoped that once he became an MP, he would also be appointed a minister.
This prominent industrialist has previously served as president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) twice, and has led various organizations at both national and international levels. He has also received several awards in recognition of his achievements.
For many years, he has played a significant role in the overall development of his home area of Daganbhuiyan—establishing schools, colleges, madrasas, and other educational and religious institutions, as well as factories and other industrial initiatives.
His father, the late Haji Shafiullah, served twice as chairman of Daganbhuiyan Upazila, and his brother, Md. Akbar Hossain, served as mayor of Daganbhuiyan Municipality.
His wife, Nasrin Fatema Awal, is chairperson of the Women Entrepreneurs Association (WEAB). His eldest son, Tabith Awal, is the president of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and also a member of BNP’s National Executive Committee.
Abdul Awal Mintoo born 22 February 1949. He is a Bangladeshi Business Leader and Politician. He has been chairman or managing director of a number of organizations and groups within Bangladeshi industry. He is the Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Mintoo was born in a village named Aleyarpur in Feni to a family of landowners. He studied science at Feni Government Pilot High School in Feni where he earned his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) in 1964. He graduated from Comilla Victoria College in 1966 with a Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC). In 1968, he obtained a diploma in nautical science from Mercantile Marine Academy in Chittagong, then known as Pakistan Marine Academy. He moved to the United States to pursue his studies and in 1973 graduated with a BSc in Marine Transportation science from the State University of New York Maritime College, following it up with a master's degree in Transportation Management and advance chartering problems and arbitration.
