Ambassador Mia Seppo meets FBCCI President
The meeting was focused on Bangladesh’s current position in terms of socio-economic condition in respect to the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic, said a press release.
The UN resident coordinator for Bangladesh Mia Seppo met with Sheikh Fazle Fahim, the president of FBCCI, at the FBCCI Icon in city's Motijheel on Saturday.
The meeting was focused on Bangladesh's current position in terms of socio-economic condition in respect to the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic, said a press release.
The discussion explored the opportunities, role and capacity of the private sector of Bangladesh after LDC graduation, the opportunities for innovation, achievement of SDGs, economic diversification and inclusive digital economy as well as private sectors contribution towards rebuilding the economy into a green and sustainable economy.
Ms. Mia Seppo said the UN is conducting dialogues with all relevant parties to provide technical and economic support for a smooth and sustainable graduation. The UN is advocating for making sure that the measures are there to lessen the impact of graduation as much as possible.
She also acknowledged that Bangladesh is an active member of the UN, a big contributor to the UN peacekeeping force, and the host country to the biggest refugee population in the world.
FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim said Bangladesh is well ahead of the required levels of 2nd triennial indicators for the 2nd stage of the LDC graduation assessment. He also said that Bangladesh along with other LDC countries that will graduate this year should apply for an extension of transition period to five or above years in the context of the pandemic situation and natural external factors that are beyond Bangladesh's hands.
He further said taking into account the overall economic ecosystem of Bangladesh, from MSMEs to largest industries; FBCCI has urged the UN System for technical supports in sectors where needed, for growth continuation after LDC graduation, to achieve SDGs and to build Bangladesh into a developed country.
The main sectors of focus would be rural economy, industry and market diversification, standardisation, facilitating women and young entrepreneurs, harmonisation, innovation end enabling technologies in all sectors.
With an aim to create and promote contemporary and industry-relevant skills and manpower, as well as enable technology in all aspects of economy, FBCCI has launched FBCCI Tech C. One of the verticals of this initiative, startup ecosystem through a partnership with MIT-solve and Accelerating Asia, will be launched at the end of this month.