Hamid Baqai

Hamid Baqai (Persian: حميد بقایی‎‎; born 6 April 1969) is an Iranian politician who was the head of presidential center from 9 April 2011 until 3 August 2013. He has been described as a pragmatic, moderate conservative with "liberal views on cultural and social issues." He was also a senior adviser to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Baqai was born on 6 April 1969 in Gilan, Iran. He was raised in Lahijan City of Gilan. He holds a bachelor's degree from Isfahan University of Technology in management.

Baqai was appointed deputy head of cultural heritage and tourism organization on 24 August 2005 by Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei. When Mashaei became first vice president of Iran in July 2009, he was appointed as head of organization and was in office until 9 April 2011 when he became head of presidential center of Iran and succeeded Rahim Mashaei again.

On 21 May 2011, he was banned from public offices for four years because he was exposed as having a part in a multimillion-dollar embezzlement during the construction of a building in Kish Island. The building was planned for the summit of countries of the Non-aligned movement. The paper said Baqai had paid the contractor roughly $340 million in addition to the initial amount on the contract. State-run media revealed that the contractor, Fiak Company, was founded by a regime-affiliated individual abroad on the recommendation of Baqai and Mashaei. The company was started by officially declaring $1,000 in its holdings.