PM urges developed nations to help in achieving SDGs

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the developed countries to come forward with financial and technical assistance to implement development goals for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs).“To ensure disbursement of funds is a big challenge to achieve SDGs. For this, the developed countries will have to come forward with financial and technical assistance to implement the development goals,” she said.The Prime Minister was speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day Bangladesh Development Forum in Dhaka. The slogan of this year’s forum is “Partnership for Development”.She also said that in addition to traditional financial assistance in dealing with environmental and climate change, the international community will have to be more attentive to the world trade system.“This can contribute to overall global development, including poverty alleviation and employment generation,” she said.Hasina said in ongoing progress, Bangladesh considers private partnerships, including international partner countries and organisations as important.She mentioned that her government has initiated establishment of 100 economic zones in different areas of the country for foreign direct investment, working in other infrastructure development and implementing necessary reform programmes to create a more foreign investment-friendly environment.“In this regard, recently the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has been formed by merging Board of Investment and Privatization Commission,” she said.“Increasing productivity by geometric rates can solve investment limitations partly. Due to proper use of education and skill, improvements in skills of workers of Bangladesh abroad will increase remittance and encourage innovative initiatives,” she said. Hasina said her government has undertaken three different five-year plans to implement SDGs 2030 and the main goal of the 7th Five Year Plan is to ensure socio-economic development through sustainable growth.She said that for the first time Bangladesh will achieve the qualification of graduation from least developed country (LDC) category at United Nations Committee for Development Policy’s triennial review meeting to be held in March next.The prime minister mentioned her government’s confidence that it has all materials to highlight Bangladesh as a dynamic economy before the world though a number of benefits will be discontinued after graduation from the LDC.She said Bangladesh has taken strategic preparations to face its impact saying it would be possible to make up the impact by increasing economic mobilityand work preparation. In her speech, the prime minister also elaborated her government achievements in various sectors in last nine years.She said in all economic activities, the government emphasized on creating regional communication and infrastructure, increasing efficiency and employment, using technology and ensuring economic and social equality, woman empowerment and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. Hasina hoped that the meeting of Bangladesh Development Forum will play an important role in determining collective action strategies and formulating necessary recommendations for building a poverty-hunger-free and prosperous Bangladesh.About 700 delegates representing Bangladesh government and various development partners are attending the event. The forum comprises Bangladesh and its development partners and is seen as a platform to discuss the country’s development process.