Dhaka: A high-level delegation from the World Bank visited field-level activities under the RAISE project in Dhamrai and Savar upazilas of Dhaka district on Tuesday. As part of the visit, the delegation observed various activities implemented by Partner Organizations and interacted with youth who received training through the project, said a press release.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the World Bank’s Senior Finance Officer Tipawan Bhutaprateep emphasized the importance of innovative programs like economic inclusion and apprenticeship in supporting vulnerable groups and fostering resilience and sustainable development. Tipawan noted that the project provides opportunities for individuals to realize their potential, and she was inspired by the enthusiasm and pride displayed by micro-entrepreneurs in their work. She highlighted the significant impact these entrepreneurs are making in their communities and the ripple effect of uplifting one person, which subsequently benefits many others.
The visit began with an interactive session with entrepreneurs who received training organized by the Society for Development Initiatives (SDI) under the project. Participants shared their experiences of starting enterprises, the skills they acquired through training, and their progress with support from the project.
The World Bank team also visited the apprenticeship program implemented by the Social Upliftment Society (SUS) and Village Education Resource Center (VERC) in Savar. Delegates observed the hands-on skills training being provided to youth in real-world work environments. They also visited the workplaces of graduates from the apprenticeship program and start-up initiatives by young entrepreneurs, expressing satisfaction with the project’s impact.
In this regard, WB’s Senior Social Protection Economist and RAISE Task Team Leader Aneeka Rahman remarked that RAISE demonstrates the various dimensions of meaningful economic inclusion. She noted that vulnerable youth are gaining the skills they need to secure dignified, well-paying jobs, and microenterprises are receiving essential inputs for growth and success.
The delegation further observed a ‘Business Management and Entrepreneurship Development (BMED)’ training session organized by SUS, where participants discussed their future plans and shared experiences related to their ventures. Later, during a meeting organized by VERC, the team interacted with Master Craftspersons (MCPs) involved in the apprenticeship program, who highlighted their role in youth skill development and the program’s positive impact on youth employment.
Members of the World Bank delegation included Tipawan Bhutaprateep, Senior Finance Officer; Aneeka Rahman, Senior Social Protection Economist and RAISE Task Team Leader, along with other officials. PKSF’s General Manager (program) and RAISE Project Coordinator Dilip Kumar Chakravorty, Manager (program) and Deputy Project Coordinator Golam Gilane, and other relevant officials accompanied the delegates. Senior officials of the respective Partner Organizations were also present during the visit.
The five-year, USD 250 million Recovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment (RAISE) project is being jointly implemented by the World Bank and PKSF. The project seeks to enhance the skills and create employment opportunities for 183,000 youth and micro-entrepreneurs in Bangladesh’s informal sector, playing a vital role in the improvement of the informal sector in Bangladesh.