Multi-dimensional integrated approach to job creation
Saturday, 15 December 2007
Engr. Md. Azizur Rahman
BANGLADESH since long has been confronted with natural calamities like, flood, cyclone, tidal wave, drought, earthquake, etc., causing severe dislocation to its socio-economic development programme. Consequently, hopes and aspirations of the general masses in the rural and urban areas were belied. This is almost a regular feature for which both the government and the private sector have to plan and replan the national socio-economic target in order to ensure the minimum requirements of the people.
The huge human and natural resources which are the national wealth could not be exploited for productive and gainful ends to provide scope and opportunity for the people to avail themselves of the opportunities thereof through different planned programmes undertaken by the public and private sector. As a result, the economic indicators do not increase as expected. The contribution to GDP estimated at more than 7.0 per cent is not expected to reach the mark, rather, due to the Cyclone Sidr on the fateful night of November 15, 2007 may come down below 5.0 per cent mark. This is a clear indication that Bangladesh must consolidate its socio-economic agenda by different kinds of viable interventions which have to be planned and implemented by public and private sectors with appropriate strategies, technologies, understanding and cooperation to enhance contribution to the economy to the desired level of expectation, as was estimated.
Contribution by major sectors: Agriculture and manufacturing sectors contribute almost the same mark of about 17.0 per cent which indicate that government and private sectors have undertaken programmes and projects which have potentials to grow and develop. Certain innovations have been introduced in both these sectors even within the limitation of resources utilisation and supporting measures. However, the limitations have impacted on the people in respect of employment and income generation of the people, in both rural and urban areas. This has prompted to plan and implement a poverty reduction strategic programme over a longer period of time. Now, with lower GDP contribution, a number of supporting programmes have to be in place as early as possible, which may be:
(i) employment generating projects, and
(ii) income generating projects.
It is well known that Bangladesh has huge human and natural resources, which need proper utilisation, keeping the above two aspects in mind.
Specific agenda for development strategy From the above, it is apparent that agriculture and manufacturing sectors have tremendous scope to create jobs and, thus, to generate incomes. Due to training, extension services, research and development, improved technology, fertiliser, irrigation and other inputs, production of the agriculture sector has undergone a radical change. Cultivable lands, method of cultivation, use of better and high yielding variety seeds have given more dividends and, as a result, provide food to 150 million as of today. Research and innovation is still continuing to cover more areas, more production and induce more farmers with motivation.
Similarly, the manufacturing sector which has shown its improvements along-side agriculture, promises offers opportunities for more enlargements specially for job creation and income generation. This sector is mainly urban-based and also in certain pocket areas where infrastructural and common facilities are available through some public sector programmes. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are concentrated in these areas, because of market access, access to finance, easy transportation and communication facilities. It is expected that with appropriate strategies, the economy may achieve (i) growth (GDP) enhancement, (ii) more job creation, and (iii) income generation, especially for unemployed and under-employed people. Furthermore, private sector organisations including chambers and trade associations and the local government institutions including unions, municipalities, city corporations etc. do need to integrate their plans for integration into the socio-economic development agenda from planning to implementations.
Conclusion
The issues discussed are not new, already some of those are in practice in certain sectors and areas. A number of research organisations have specific studies, as for example, BIDS, BLIP, BEI, CPD, FBCCI, Dhaka CCI, Chittagong CCI, etc., on economic policies and development programmes in various sectors and products. These studies and recommendations suggested therein should be studied for further analysis and incorporation in a National Economic Development Strategy Paper (NEDSP) to give due emphasis on: (a) poverty reduction; (b) job creation; (c) income generation; (d) economic development (balance between rural and urban), and (e) capacity building of organisations/institutions and enterprises/individuals.
A number of forums have already been established, which may look into all such aspects and suggestions, for policy/strategy/implementation/ frameworks with time-frame and expected output. Bangladesh is prone to natural calamities, which are the major constraints to our socio-economic development. But these constitute, for obvious reasons, the challenges to sustainable development. Our people, in general, have time and again, demonstrated patience, courage and resilience, to recoup the losses and damage.
The writer is a former director of Bangladesh Small & Cottege Industries Corporation
BANGLADESH since long has been confronted with natural calamities like, flood, cyclone, tidal wave, drought, earthquake, etc., causing severe dislocation to its socio-economic development programme. Consequently, hopes and aspirations of the general masses in the rural and urban areas were belied. This is almost a regular feature for which both the government and the private sector have to plan and replan the national socio-economic target in order to ensure the minimum requirements of the people.
The huge human and natural resources which are the national wealth could not be exploited for productive and gainful ends to provide scope and opportunity for the people to avail themselves of the opportunities thereof through different planned programmes undertaken by the public and private sector. As a result, the economic indicators do not increase as expected. The contribution to GDP estimated at more than 7.0 per cent is not expected to reach the mark, rather, due to the Cyclone Sidr on the fateful night of November 15, 2007 may come down below 5.0 per cent mark. This is a clear indication that Bangladesh must consolidate its socio-economic agenda by different kinds of viable interventions which have to be planned and implemented by public and private sectors with appropriate strategies, technologies, understanding and cooperation to enhance contribution to the economy to the desired level of expectation, as was estimated.
Contribution by major sectors: Agriculture and manufacturing sectors contribute almost the same mark of about 17.0 per cent which indicate that government and private sectors have undertaken programmes and projects which have potentials to grow and develop. Certain innovations have been introduced in both these sectors even within the limitation of resources utilisation and supporting measures. However, the limitations have impacted on the people in respect of employment and income generation of the people, in both rural and urban areas. This has prompted to plan and implement a poverty reduction strategic programme over a longer period of time. Now, with lower GDP contribution, a number of supporting programmes have to be in place as early as possible, which may be:
(i) employment generating projects, and
(ii) income generating projects.
It is well known that Bangladesh has huge human and natural resources, which need proper utilisation, keeping the above two aspects in mind.
Specific agenda for development strategy From the above, it is apparent that agriculture and manufacturing sectors have tremendous scope to create jobs and, thus, to generate incomes. Due to training, extension services, research and development, improved technology, fertiliser, irrigation and other inputs, production of the agriculture sector has undergone a radical change. Cultivable lands, method of cultivation, use of better and high yielding variety seeds have given more dividends and, as a result, provide food to 150 million as of today. Research and innovation is still continuing to cover more areas, more production and induce more farmers with motivation.
Similarly, the manufacturing sector which has shown its improvements along-side agriculture, promises offers opportunities for more enlargements specially for job creation and income generation. This sector is mainly urban-based and also in certain pocket areas where infrastructural and common facilities are available through some public sector programmes. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are concentrated in these areas, because of market access, access to finance, easy transportation and communication facilities. It is expected that with appropriate strategies, the economy may achieve (i) growth (GDP) enhancement, (ii) more job creation, and (iii) income generation, especially for unemployed and under-employed people. Furthermore, private sector organisations including chambers and trade associations and the local government institutions including unions, municipalities, city corporations etc. do need to integrate their plans for integration into the socio-economic development agenda from planning to implementations.
Conclusion
The issues discussed are not new, already some of those are in practice in certain sectors and areas. A number of research organisations have specific studies, as for example, BIDS, BLIP, BEI, CPD, FBCCI, Dhaka CCI, Chittagong CCI, etc., on economic policies and development programmes in various sectors and products. These studies and recommendations suggested therein should be studied for further analysis and incorporation in a National Economic Development Strategy Paper (NEDSP) to give due emphasis on: (a) poverty reduction; (b) job creation; (c) income generation; (d) economic development (balance between rural and urban), and (e) capacity building of organisations/institutions and enterprises/individuals.
A number of forums have already been established, which may look into all such aspects and suggestions, for policy/strategy/implementation/ frameworks with time-frame and expected output. Bangladesh is prone to natural calamities, which are the major constraints to our socio-economic development. But these constitute, for obvious reasons, the challenges to sustainable development. Our people, in general, have time and again, demonstrated patience, courage and resilience, to recoup the losses and damage.
The writer is a former director of Bangladesh Small & Cottege Industries Corporation