ZCZC
BSS-39
BDF-MEETING
Next BDF meeting on Jan 29
DHAKA, Jan 15, 2020 (BSS) – The next meeting of the Bangladesh Development
Forum (BDF) will be held on January 29 in a bid to enhance cooperation
between the government with the development partners to materialize various
development goals and plans.
The Economic Relations Division (ERD) under the Ministry of Finance will
hold the daylong meeting to be held at the Bangabandhu International
Conference Center (BICC) in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the meet,” said ERD
Secretary Monowar Ahmed.
Talking to BSS, he said government officials, representatives from the
development partners and international agencies and experts would remain
present during the various sessions of the meeting.
“This time we’ll highlight the development operations of Bangladesh before
the development partners as well as the progress towards implementing the
seventh Five Year Plan (7FYP). Besides, emphasis will be given on how to
increase partnership with the development partners towards implementing the
eighth Five-Year Plan (8FYP) keeping ahead the SDGs.” He said.
The ERD Secretary said they have already invited the officials and
representatives from various international agencies at the next meeting where
the achievements of Bangladesh in various sectors would be highlighted as
well as to discuss on how to address the future challenges.
He informed that the participants in the meeting are expected to place
various issues like various challenges towards implementing the development
projects and on how to address the resource gap.
Monowar said the BDF 2020 will be an occasion to recount the achievements
and lessons learned during the 7FYP. “Critically BDF 2020 will shed light on
Bangladesh’s strategic choices to reach three milestones, smooth and
sustainable LDC graduation by 2024, SDGs by 2030 and become a developed
country by 2041.”
He went on saying, “Hence, with due considerations for the political
commitment of the government, enshrined in the Election Manifesto, BDF 2020
will be a perfect opportunity to identify areas of partnership for 8FYP.”
The forum will provide an ideal platform for assessing the progress made
in implementing the seventh FYP. At the same time, it would also provide an
opportunity for a wide ranging multi-stakeholder consultation for formulating
the upcoming eighth Five Year Plan.
The upcoming BDF 2020 would also provide a stage for evaluating the
country’s progress in implementing the SDGs.
It would also provide scopes for assessing the future financing needs,
requirements or issues the country may come across in executing these global
goals while identifying the ways for addressing those needs or requirements.
The last BDF meeting took place in 2018 where some 700 local and foreign
representatives took part.
There will be a total of six sessions during the meeting which are
Innovative Financing for a Self-reliant Bangladesh, Partnership for Climate
Change and its Financing, Rural Transformation: Creating Opportunities for
All, Healthcare Services: Inclusive Delivery Options and Quality Education
for All.
BSS/ASG/RI/GM/SSS/1915 hrs