C T Online Desk: State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russell said that 24,000 active men and women will play a role in the socio-economic development in Cox’s Bazar.
He made this comment while inaugurating a project of ILO Bangladesh and the Ministry of Youth and Sports at a hotel in Cox’s Bazar at around 11am on Tuesday.
Md Zahid Ahsan Russel added: “The project will empower the local women and youth of Cox’s Bazar so that they can engage in honourable and decent work and start their own businesses.”
Funded by the governments of Canada and the Netherlands, the ILO is implementing the project in partnership with Brac, UNDP and FAO.
The state minister said: “For the overall development of women and youth groups in Cox’s Bazar district, the project will be implemented with the help of the International Labour Organization and the funding of the governments of Canada and the Netherlands by the initiative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports until November 30, 2025.”
“Employment and self-employment opportunities will be created for thousands of working people, which will play a major role in the socio-economic development of Cox’s Bazar,” he added.
High Commissioner of Canada assigned to Bangladesh Lily Nicholls said: “We are delighted to be supporting the resilience building efforts of local communities in Cox’s Bazar, who are being affected by the chronic regional crisis.”
“Women’s economic empowerment is the key to sustainable economic growth. We are delighted to work with our partners to build the skills of women and youth in line with Bangladesh’s National Skill Development Policy. We invite other countries to join us in this effort,” she added.
Chargé d’Affaires of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh Thijs Woudstra said: “The Netherlands is happy to extend its support to the local community of Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh to do good work because we believe that no one should be left behind – not women, not the youth, not the disabled.”
ILO Bangladesh Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen said: “The working world is changing rapidly and all the people in Bangladesh, especially women and youth, must be equipped with the skills that will enable them to start successful businesses as well as take advantage of the job opportunities created by increased automation, digitalization and artificial intelligence.”