The Programme will enhance UNIDO’s support to the Government in the design, development and implementation of a road map for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development
The Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) signed a Country Programme for 2018 to 2020 last week at the Economic Relations Division.
The Country Programme will enhance UNIDO’s support to the Government in the design, development and implementation of a road map towards inclusive and sustainable industrial development. Furthermore, the Programme is fully aligned with the priorities set forth in the Government’s Seventh Five-Year Plan, its 2021 Vision and the 2016 National Industrial Policy as well as the 2017-2020 UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).
Speaking at the signing, Zaki Zaman, UNIDO Country Representative for Bangladesh, said: “UNIDO will work in three main modules. Improvement of provision of services to businesses, development and innovation of high-impact sectors and value chains, such as leather and agro-processing, and diversification of environmental goods and services sector, also to aid the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements”. ERD Secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam said, “inclusive and sustainable industrial development is important for Bangladesh. The government expects that the implementation of the first-ever UNIDO Country Programme will result in greater benefits for the country.”
The Programme will accelerate industrial development in a balanced manner, synergizing between the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental. In addition, the Programme will provide a framework for the planning, implementation and monitoring of UNIDO’s technical cooperation services in Bangladesh, in partnership with the Government, industry and financial sectors, other non-governmental organizations and UN sister agencies. UN Wing Additional Secretary Dr. Kazi Anowarul Hoque said, “the Country Programme will help Bangladesh in achieving the SDGs, and particularly Goal 9.”
The Country Programme is based on UNIDO’s ISID framework, which will contribute to the Government’s efforts in realizing the SDGs and associated targets, in particular Goal 9 on industry, infrastructure and innovation. Kazi Shofiqul Azam, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division and Zaki Uz Zaman, UNIDO Country Representative in Bangladesh, signed the Agreement.
