Bogura: Bogura municipality today organized a regional campaign and seminar on Local Economic Development (LED) and the Role of Municipalities. The event took place at Shaheed Titu Auditorium, where a three-day training workshop on LED was also inaugurated for 60 officials and business representatives from 11 municipalities across the Bogura district, said a press release.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the campaign was supported by PRABRIDDHI, a Local Economic Development (LED) project jointly funded by the Governments of Bangladesh and Switzerland, and co-implemented by the Local Government Division (LGD) and Swiss contact Bangladesh. The chief guest of the event was Hosna Afroza, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Bogura. Distinguished guests included Jiban Krishna Saha Roy, Director General of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA); Rezaul Karim Badshah, Former Mayor of Bogura Municipality; and Rukhen Uddin Ahmed, Senior Advisor of the PRABRIDDHI project.
More than 300 participants, comprising local government officials, business representatives, journalists, women entrepreneurs, and student delegates, attended the program. During the seminar, various initiatives taken by Bogura Municipality for expanding the light engineering sector and showcasing local entrepreneurial success stories were highlighted. Participants also gained insights into the processes of LED and strategies for developing long-term business plans.
The welcome address was delivered by Md. Masum Ali Beg (Deputy Secretary), Administrator of Bogura Municipality and Deputy Director of Local Government. Citing examples of Alibaba and Uber, he emphasized the role of small-scale initiatives in local economic development, noting that these initiatives create employment and lay the foundation for larger industries. The PRABRIDDHI project aims to strengthen the local economy by providing institutional support to such initiatives.
Speaking as a special guest, Jiban Krishna Saha Roy, Director General of BIDA, highlighted the importance of local government institutions in implementing national-level reforms and attracting both foreign and local investors. He noted that the PRABRIDDHI project is pivotal in bridging gaps between local and national efforts, with a focus on improving the business environment and ensuring sustainable growth through environmental protection.
Rukhen Uddin Ahmed, Senior Advisor of the PRABRIDDHI project, presented the Bangladeshi LED model and shared experiences from different municipalities. He pointed out that effective public-private partnerships, supported by strategic approaches, can significantly contribute to local economic development.
Activities of the PRABRIDDHI project in Bogura Municipality were presented by Shahjahan Alam, Municipal Executive Officer, while Razedul Rahman Razu, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Agricultural Machinery Merchants Association (BAMMA), emphasized the project’s role in developing the light engineering sector.
As part of the campaign, a day-long Local Products and Trade Fair and student competitions were organized. Enterprises such as Spirited BD, iFarmer, and MIT Park, alongside women entrepreneurs, participated actively in the fair. More than 1,000 local residents attended, where entrepreneurs showcased products and services while directly engaging with customers. Citizens also received municipal services such as trade licenses, holding tax payments, and other civic facilities through the One-Stop Service Centre booth. Additionally, students from schools and colleges were introduced to entrepreneurship and LED concepts. The day-long event concluded with cultural performances by local groups, making the program vibrant and engaging for participants.