Speakers at a programme on Sunday stressed the need for a sustainable market system through public-private partnership (PPP) initiative for socioeconomic development of the people in the char areas.
The nation will progress if the lives of the small and marginalised farmers are improved through advanced farming, modern technology, and accessible financing, they said while speaking at an event titled "Making Markets Work for the Chars" (M4C) project.
Jointly operated by Bogura Rural Development Academy (RDA) and Swisscontact, the project has been implemented in Bangladesh from 2012 to 2024 with funding from the Swiss Embassy and the Government of Bangladesh.
In his address as the chief guest, Mr. Hasan Arif, Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, said, "For the impoverished char areas, we aim to ensure food security, poverty reduction, risk mitigation, improvement in living standards, job creation, women's empowerment, and enhanced connectivity."
Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh, Reto Renggli, stated, "Considering the reality of climate change, the Swiss government will continue its support in sustaining this development process and creating new employment opportunities in the char regions."
Officials from the Rural Development and Cooperative Division, Planning Commission, various public and private organisations, embassy delegates, and representatives from M4C project partner organisations participated in the event. Among others, speeches were delivered by Mujibul Hasan Sezanne, the Country Representative of Swisscontact Bangladesh, Dr. Abdullah Al Mamun, Additional Director General of the Rural Development Academy, Bogura, and Abdul Awal, Team Leader of the M4C project.
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