Visiting Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Isabella Lovin Tuesday suggested dialogue among the political parties in Bangladesh for participatory democracy to ensure sustainable development.
She apprehended said if there be no dialogue among the political parties for inclusive elections, undemocratic forces might seize the scope to come to power.
"Dialogue among the political parties is needed for all parties' participatory election which is important for sustainable and inclusive development in Bangladesh," she told the media.
The minister of the EU country made the remarks while launching Strategy for Development Cooperation in Bangladesh 2014-2020 at a city hotel in the capital.
The new strategy focuses the importance of good governance, transparency and combating corruption.
An important role of the civil society in a democratic society was also underscored.
The strategy introduces a new area of cooperation, inclusive economic growth, which is an important condition in Bangladesh's progress towards the status of a middle-income country as recognised in the government's five-year plan.
It also stresses the importance of increased resilience to climate change and environment risks.
"Sweden intends to assist to improve conditions for women's participation in the labour market and supporting vocational training. Sweden will support efforts to strengthen disaster risk management and the importance of water management," she told the journalists.
"The new strategy also encourages us to explore the possibility to work with new partners, such as public-private partnership, and to develop new and innovative ways to deliver aid, such as increased use of loans and guarantees," she said.
Secretary of the Economic Division of the Ministry of Finance Mohammad Mejbauddin, Swedish Ambassador in Dhaka Johan Frisell and representatives of all development partners were among others present.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com