Unicef Program Manager and Coordinator Thomas George recommended that SDGs should be adopted in Bangladesh as according to local needs.
On November 7, a panel discussion titled “Partnering for Reduced Inequalities: How business can contribute to the UN SDGs” was held at Grameenphone headquarters. The discussion emphasised the need for participation of the private sector in implementing Unicef’s 10th Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as adopted by United Nations (UN).
”The private sector is doing 78% of the development work in Bangladesh so it is impossible to ignore private sector in attaining SDG goals,” said Fakrul Ahsan, project advisor and SDG lead, UNDP Bangladesh.
He added: “UNDP has created a platform to bring both public and private sector together, so they can discuss their needs and adjust the policies that required for further development of the country.”
Unicef Program Manager and Coordinator Thomas George recommended that SDGs should be adopted in Bangladesh as according to local needs. While Rupali Chowdhury, president of Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged to bring in more foreign investment and bolster job creation, suggesting it is optimal development strategy for Bangladesh. She added: “We have many success stories which need to be told and the local and foreign investors in this country can tell these stories to attract more investment.”
Anir Chowdhury, policy adviser, Access to Information Program, welcomed the private-public collaboration and expressed the need for efficiency in service delivery and that it can be achieved through digitalisation. He said: “The government will open digital service windows for the businesses, which will reduce bureaucracy.”
The program was organised by Grameenphone Ltd and Telenor Group, who are said to have taken an initiative to focus on SDG 10 which focuses on reducing inequality, by providing access to information and digital services.
