Dr Azizur Rahman Khan and Dr Mahbub Hossain (posthumous) have jointly received the Bangladesh Bank (BB) Award 2017 in recognition of their contribution to the economy.
Mr Khan is Professor Emeritus of University of California, USA, and Mr Hossain was former executive director of Brac.
Finance Minister A M A Muhith handed over the awards at a ceremony, held at Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) in the capital on Sunday.
Each of the award recipients has got a gold medal, a crest and Tk 0.2 million cash. Ms Parvin Hossain, wife of Dr Hossain, received the award on behalf of him.
A four-member jury board, led by BB Governor Fazle Kabir, selected the recipients.
The BB governor, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation Chairman Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, and BIBM Director General Dr Toufic Ahmad Choudhury, among others, were present at the award-giving ceremony.
"I am very glad to be present at the award-giving ceremony," the finance minister said.
Mr Khan is reputed from his student life, and Mr Hossain was very much dedicated to his research and learning, he added.
Both the economists have contributed immensely to the development of the nation by carrying out researches, the BB governor said.
Mr Khan researches on development planning, agricultural institute and land reforms, income distribution and inequality.
Mr Hossain researched on rural economy and industry, poverty reduction, agriculture, impact of micro-credit and marginalized farmers' livelihood, he added.
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