Alliance launched to create economic scope for youth

An alliance with the representations of public, private and development sector called FutureNation was launched on Sunday aiming to create economic opportunities for all by 2041.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Grameenphone, jointly launched the alliance at an event held in a city hotel, a statement said.
According to it, the initiative aims to accelerate the country's future economic growth by enhancing the skills and potential of youth by identifying opportunities for development, employment, entrepreneurship, and investment in the post-pandemic situation.
Salman F Rahman, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister; Zunaid Ahmed Palak, State Minister for ICT; Md Sirazul Islam, Executive Chairman, BIDA; Radwan Mujib Siddiq, Strategic Advisor, UNDP; Mohsina Yasmin, Executive Member, International Investment Promotion, BIDA Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative, UNDP; and Yasir Azman, CEO, Grameenphone; attended the launching ceremony of "FutureNation: Graduate Employment in Private Sector Programme".
As the chief guest of the event Salman F Rahman said, After realizing a 'Digital Bangladesh', the government is now working to establish a 'Smart Bangladesh' to be successfully involved in the 4IR, engaging to create youth employment through various ICT initiatives, a pre-condition for sustaining Bangladesh's prosperity.
"I wholeheartedly applaud this initiative, 'FutureNation by Grameenphone, UNDP and BIDA," he said
In the opening remarks Sudipto Mukerjee said Global job market is consistently evolving.
"We must ensure our youth is prepared for the new reality presented by the fast-paced economic and technological evolutions," he said adding that the blessings of a demographic dividend do not last forever.
Zunaid Ahmed Palak said, stable employment opportunities and equipping the youth with digital competencies is pivotal to reap the benefits of a demographic dividend.
"We must collaborate to reduce the disparity between the urban and rural areas by transforming the country into a digitally connected society. FutureNation is an example of this co-creation."
The statement also said the primary objective of FutureNation is to create sustainable economic opportunities for young graduates through decent employment and facilitate a skilled workforce that can cope with the transforming industry trends.
It also aims at reducing the unemployment ratio of graduate youth groups through basic training in digital and financial literacy, communication, business appreciation, and much more.

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