Mohammad Iftekharul Islam is an economics graduate from the University of Dhaka and is currently working as a Research Associate for the South Asian Network on Economic Modelling (SANEM). Prior to joining SANEM, Iftekhar worked as a Programme Associate for the research division at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), interned at the Bangladesh Bank, and Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID). He also served as a feature writer for The Financial Express Bangladesh for an extensive period. He has gained practical skills in econometric analysis, academic writing and project coordination, using advanced statistical tools to support research on pressing socio-economic issues. Alongside his professional work, he takes a keen interest in both creative and analytical writing, and remains committed to continuous learning and contributing to inclusive growth and evidence-based policymaking.