SDGs and other priority sectors

BDF 2018 identifies way forward for joint cooperation

“We must emphasise domestic resource mobilisation and prudent use of money”

Finance minister AMA Muhith has said that Bangladesh basically sought financial cooperation from its development partners at the meeting of the Bangladesh Development Forum (BDF) to implement the sustainable development goals (SDGs). “The implementation of SDGs will require billions of trillions of US dollars. It's certain that such a level of financing will not be available from the beginning. Therefore, we must emphasise domestic resource mobilisation and prudent use of money,” he said. The minister was addressing a press briefing after the meeting at a city hotel yesterday. Mission director of US Aid and co-chair LCG Janina Jaruzejski, secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) Kazi Shafiqul Azam, and additional secretary Monowar Ahmed also spoke at the briefing. The finance minister said some of the SDG projects were really difficult to implement and demanded huge financial involvement. About the graduation from the LDC, Muhith said Bangladesh would lose some quota benefits, but a much larger number of opportunities would open up.

Bangladeshis would be able to take high-cost market loans for reducing the huge investment gap. Bangladesh emphasised foreign direct investment for economic development and higher growth, he added.

Addressing the briefing, Janina Jaruzejski said that over the past few decades, Bangladesh made really impressive gains in many key development indicators.

Bangladesh’s success in reducing maternal and infant mortality had been one of its most outstanding achievements, he pointed out.

“Both maternal and infant mortality has been reduced by more than 60 per cent. Agriculture is another area of huge success,” he added.

She said rice production had virtually tripled and there had been tremendous advancement in the use of science and technology to increase crop productivity and resilience. “Our task right now is to sustain Bangladesh’s momentum and its impressive development trajectory while ensuring no one is left behind,” she added.

About the two-day meeting, she pointed out that one of the key messages coming out of the forum was the importance of women’s empowerment to ensure further development. As Bangladesh became more prosperous, development partner programmes would evolve, as they always did, she said, adding, “We also expect and hope to see a growing role of the private sector and civil society, as is normally the case in more developed countries.”

She went on to say: “Our shared goal is sustainable development—this type of development would be owned and guided by Bangladeshis themselves. It'll benefit people not just today, but for years to come.” The joint communiqué issued by the BDF said the lively and wide-ranging discussions  highlighted the importance of certain issues for future economic growth and poverty reduction in Bangladesh. It also emphasised the importance of these issues in supporting the transition from the least developed country status.

 Among the issues raised include creation of decent jobs and the tackling of barriers to growth and investment, improving the environment for the private sector, strengthening regional connectivity, strengthening governance, the rule of law, accountability and transparency through the development of sound public financial management systems. The communiqué also said the importance of leaving no one behind in the pursuit of inclusive economic growth and development, including women and girls, the elderly, people with disabilities, socially excluded groups and youth, was the overriding message.

BDF2018 has provided opportunities for high-level exchanges between the government and development stakeholders, including development partners, to improve cooperation and exchange views on strategic priorities. It would support collective efforts to help Bangladesh achieve SDGs, promote inclusive, resilient, sustainable growth and development, and improve the lives of all Bangladeshis, the speakers at the briefing said.

The forum made specific recommendations for a number of priority areas for the country including agriculture, climate change, FDI, private sector engagement, health, quality education, women empowerment, improving urban service delivery, SDG financing and Bangladesh’s LDC transition.

 

SDGs and other priority sectors

BDF 2018 identifies way forward for joint cooperation

“We must emphasise domestic resource mobilisation and prudent use of money”

Finance minister AMA Muhith has said that Bangladesh basically sought financial cooperation from its development partners at the meeting of the Bangladesh Development Forum (BDF) to implement the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The implementation of SDGs will require billions of trillions of US dollars. Its certain that such a level of financing will not be available from the beginning. Therefore, we must emphasise domestic resource mobilisation and prudent use of money, he said. The minister was addressing a press briefing after the meeting at a city hotel yesterday. Mission director of US Aid and co-chair LCG Janina Jaruzejski, secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) Kazi Shafiqul Azam, and additional secretary Monowar Ahmed also spoke at the briefing. The finance minister said some of the SDG projects were really difficult to implement and demanded huge financial involvement. About the graduation from the LDC, Muhith said Bangladesh would lose some quota benefits, but a much larger number of opportunities would open up. Bangladeshis would be able to take high-cost market loans for reducing the huge investment gap. Bangladesh emphasised foreign direct investment for economic development and higher growth, he added. Addressing the briefing, Janina Jaruzejski said that over the past few decades, Bangladesh made really impressive gains in many key development indicators. Bangladeshs success in reducing maternal and infant mortality had been one of its most outstanding achievements, he pointed out. Both maternal and infant mortality has been reduced by more than 60 per cent. Agriculture is another area of huge success, he added. She said rice production had virtually tripled and there had been tremendous advancement in the use of science and technology to increase crop productivity and resilience. Our task right now is to sustain Bangladeshs momentum and its impressive development trajectory while ensuring no one is left behind, she added. About the two-day meeting, she pointed out that one of the key messages coming out of the forum was the importance of womens empowerment to ensure further development. As Bangladesh became more prosperous, development partner programmes would evolve, as they always did, she said, adding, We also expect and hope to see a growing role of the private sector and civil society, as is normally the case in more developed countries. She went on to say: Our shared goal is sustainable developmentthis type of development would be owned and guided by Bangladeshis themselves. Itll benefit people not just today, but for years to come. The joint communiqu issued by the BDF said the lively and wide-ranging discussions highlighted the importance of certain issues for future economic growth and poverty reduction in Bangladesh. It also emphasised the importance of these issues in supporting the transition from the least developed country status. Among the issues raised include creation of decent jobs and the tackling of barriers to growth and investment, improving the environment for the private sector, strengthening regional connectivity, strengthening governance, the rule of law, accountability and transparency through the development of sound public financial management systems. The communiqu also said the importance of leaving no one behind in the pursuit of inclusive economic growth and development, including women and girls, the elderly, people with disabilities, socially excluded groups and youth, was the overriding message. BDF2018 has provided opportunities for high-level exchanges between the government and development stakeholders, including development partners, to improve cooperation and exchange views on strategic priorities. It would support collective efforts to help Bangladesh achieve SDGs, promote inclusive, resilient, sustainable growth and development, and improve the lives of all Bangladeshis, the speakers at the briefing said. The forum made specific recommendations for a number of priority areas for the country including agriculture, climate change, FDI, private sector engagement, health, quality education, women empowerment, improving urban service delivery, SDG financing and Bangladeshs LDC transition.