Ashraful Haq Chowdhury, managing director of Star Infrastructure Consortium and a director of Bank Asia, has been appointed special trustee and representative of European Economic Development Council (EEDC) with effect from January 1.

Headquartered in Madrid, the EEDC is one of the world's leading development agencies. The non-bureaucratic, non-political, non-governmental international organisation works on faster solutions for public and private sector funding needs for socio-economic development and industrial growth.

Its operational activities encompass almost all the countries over Latin, South and Central America, Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Central, East and South East Asia and the Pacific Rim.

Its Executive Board, Board of Trustees and Advisory Group comprise high profile dignitaries and experts in various development fields, said an EEDC statement.

With Chowdhury's appointment, the EEDC now considers Bangladesh as a focus country for its constant socioeconomic and industrial growth.

Ashraf is an expert in trade, investment and telecommunications sectors with 32 years' experience.