Bhairab Municipality Spearheads Local Economic Development with One Stop Service Center Launch

Bhairab Municipality, with support from PRABRIDDHI – a local economic development (LED) project jointly funded by the Government of Bangladesh and Switzerland, and implementation assistance from SELISE Digital Platforms, marked a significant milestone towards local economic development with the inauguration of One Stop Service Center (OSSC). Mr. Reto Renggli, Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh, and Md. Iftekhar Hossain Beno, Mayor of Bhairab Municipality jointly inaugurated the launch of the OSSC at the municipality premises on 26 May 2024. This pioneering initiative promises to streamline administrative processes, enhance accessibility to public services, and foster socio-economic development within the municipality.  The OSSC aims to digitise administrative processes and enhance accessibility to public services. By centralising essential services under one roof, the OSSC seeks to promote efficiency, transparency, and citizen-centric governance. From licensing and permit issuance to citizen facilitation and information dissemination, the center will cater to the diverse needs of residents, businesses, and visitors, driving socio-economic development and fostering inclusive growth. “The inauguration of the One Stop Service Center is a testament to the strong partnership between Bangladesh and Switzerland. This center embodies the spirit of innovation and cooperation, serving as a model for sustainable local economic development.” Special Guest Mr. Reto Renggli, Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh “With the inauguration of the One Stop Service Center, Bhairab takes a significant stride towards inclusive development and citizen-centric governance. This initiative reflects our dedication to fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for our residents.” Md. Iftekhar Hossain Beno, Mayor of Bhairab  “Through collaborative efforts, innovative solutions, and digitisation, we are shaping a brighter future for Bhairab, fostering sustainable growth and prosperity at the grassroots level” Mr. Markus Ehmann, Team Leader of PRABRIDDHI  “The launch of the One Stop Service Center underscores our commitment to leveraging digital solutions for social impact. Through technology-driven innovation, we empower municipalities like Bhairab to enhance service delivery and drive socio-economic progress.” Julian Webber, the CEO of SELISE Digital Platforms  Co-implemented by Local Government Division (LGD) and Swisscontact, the PRABRIDDHI project is currently being implemented in seven municipalities – Bhairab, Bogura, Cox’s Bazar, Dinajpur, Kushtia, Jashore and Shibganj.

Unveiling Key Advances in Production at Jashore Light Engineering Fair 2024

Jashore Municipality hosted the Light Engineering Fair 2024 on December 4th and 5th, showcasing the district’s vital contribution to Bangladesh’s local economic development. Supported by the PRABRIDDHI initiative, the fair showcased the remarkable innovation and growth potential of Jashore’s thriving Light Engineering (LE) sector, marking a significant milestone in reinforcing Jashore’s position as a center for engineering excellence and innovation. Jashore’s Light Engineering Fair 2024 brought together industry leaders, government representatives, and academic institutions to highlight the achievements of the LE sector within the municipality. Organized by Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners Association (BEIOA) in collaboration with PRABRIDDHI and Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) this fair aimed to enhance the expansion of the LE sector’s market reach.  Funded by the governments of Bangladesh and Switzerland and implemented by Swisscontact, PRABRIDDHI’s efforts to foster local economic development have paved the way for Jashore’s LE sector to gain more recognition. Since 2022, PRABRIDDHI has partnered with JUST and BEIOA to strengthen Jashore’s light engineering sector. As a highlight of the Light Engineering Fair, the production manual for Jashore’s six top-selling light engineering products was successfully unveiled. This significant milestone stems from a collaborative action research initiative jointly undertaken by JUST and the BEIOA. The LE fair featured the six advanced products developed, underscoring the region’s capacity for technological excellence and market competitiveness.  The Light Engineering Fair showcased Jashore’s innovation and technical expertise not only through their cutting-edge products, but also live demonstrations. Networking sessions facilitated discussions between local producers and potential buyers including regional entrepreneurs and associations from Kushtia, paving the way for collaborative opportunities. This engagement also allowed attendees to explore partnerships that could expand the market for Jashore-made products. “I will endorse further fair arrangements as this sector directly benefits agriculture in our country. I believe product improvement is a journey that should continue for the overall betterment of this sector.“ The District Commissioner (DC) “The Light Engineering Fair is a testament to Jashore’s transformative journey in establishing itself as a center of innovation and quality. By fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and local producers, we are not only strengthening the LE sector but also creating a ripple effect for sustainable economic growth. PRABRIDDHI remains committed to supporting initiatives that empower local enterprises to compete and thrive on a global scale.“ Markus Ehmann, Team Leader, PRABRIDDHI The fair further highlighted the promotion of “Made in Jashore” as a symbol of quality and reliability, focusing on connecting regional innovation with global standards. Aligned with BEIOA’s Vision 2030, the event emphasized advanced technology, branding, and digitalization to position Jashore’s products on the global stage. Moving forward, the focus remains on expanding training programs to enhance workforce skills, ensuring robust quality control for consistent standards, and fostering international alliances to secure long-term market access. “We are embracing advanced technologies, strategic branding, and digitalization to elevate Jashore’s global presence, set new industry benchmarks, and position its light engineering products as a top international choice. These manuals will serve as vital knowledge resources, and we hope that LE entrepreneurs will adopt them to sustain and further advance these efforts, driving long-term growth and securing a competitive edge for the sector.“ Md. Ashraful Islam Babu, President of the Jashore chapter of BEIOA PRABRIDDHI’s comprehensive approach has positioned Jashore at a stronger locus in Bangladesh’s light engineering industry. With continued innovation and collaboration, the region is set to achieve sustainable growth and global recognition.

MAB held Virtual Platform and Digital Capacity Building Training and an Inaugural Ceremony for Municipal Officials at Hotel Amari on 26/06/2024.

The Municipal Association of Bangladesh (MAB), in collaboration with the PRABRIDDHI – Local Economic Development (LED) project, funded by the Governments of Bangladesh and Switzerland, co-implemented by the Local Government Division (LGD) and Swisscontact, successfully launched its revamped Virtual Platform to foster local economic development and showcase the best practices for municipal development in Bangladesh. Mr. Md Tazul Islam MP, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Co-operatives launched the virtual platform at Hotel Amari on 2 June 2024. The virtual platform aims to enhance the outreach of the Municipal Association of Bangladesh and promote the Local Economic Development (LED) model in the country. It connects 329 municipalities through a redesigned website, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter. This initiative will help scale the Local Economic Development approach to other prospective municipalities and contribute to national development goals, including achieving Upper-Middle Income status and creating a Smart Bangladesh. Following the launch of the virtual platform, the minister also inaugurated a three-day Digital Capacity Building Training for 40 municipal staff members to equip them with the digital literacy needed to utilize the virtual platform effectively. Speaking at the event as the chief guest, Mr. Md Tazul Islam MP, Minister, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Co-operatives said, “In alignment with the “Smart Bangladesh” vision, MAB – an umbrella organization for 329 municipalities – is enhancing its digital presence and outreach with the support of the PRABRIDDHI project. This newly designed virtual platform enables all municipalities in the country to easily connect, share their local economic development activities with the public, and draw inspiration from each other to implement similar initiatives in their own areas. Consequently, the local economic development process will further accelerate”. “On this occasion, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Switzerland, a long-standing friend of Bangladesh for their continued support towards the development of the country. I also want to thank Swisscontact, which, under the leadership of the Local Government Division, is implementing these timely initiatives through the PRABRIDDHI project,” he added. Special guest Mr. AHM Kamruzzaman, Additional Secretary (urban wing), Local Government Division, remarked ” The core approach of the PRABRIDDHI project, which aims to achieve economic development at the local level in alignment with the Eighth Five-Year Plan and Vision 2041, is something we hope to gradually implement in all municipalities under the supervision of the Local Government Division. We have already witnessed the success of this project. If it continues in the long term, we can expect a lasting impact on the country’s economy. Thus, I urge the government of Switzerland to continue its support. As the unified organization of municipalities in Bangladesh, MAB must play a significant role in local economic development. I hope that through this virtual platform, MAB will be able to disseminate the activities and success stories related to the PRABRIDDHI project and local economic development to all municipalities across the country.” Special guest Mr. Md. Kamal Hossain, Joint Secretary, Local Government Division and Project Director, PRABRIDDHI remarked,” In order to establish area-based development, fostering opportunities for private investment in urban areas, establishing conducive business environments, and strengthening the capabilities of local government institutions are imperative. The “PRABRIDDHI” project, focused on local economic development, emerges as a novel initiative to promote economic progress at the municipal level. I anticipate that through this innovative virtual platform, MAB will effectively disseminate activities and success stories pertaining to local economic development to all municipalities nationwide. Consequently, development will be realized incrementally in every corner of the country.” Mr. Nadim Rahman, Senior Programme Officer, the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh stated, “Switzerland is proud to support MAB in launching this innovative virtual platform through the PRABRIDDHI project. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to fostering local economic development and enhancing the capabilities of municipalities across Bangladesh. By facilitating knowledge-sharing and collaboration, we aim to empower local governments to drive sustainable growth and create more resilient communities. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact this platform will have on the country’s economic development,”. “I am honored to be part of this momentous occasion. The launch of this virtual platform represents a leap forward in our mission to promote local economic development and showcase the remarkable achievements of municipalities in Bangladesh. By providing a forum for knowledge-sharing and collaboration, MAB expects to accelerate the pace of development and create a brighter future for all residents. Together, we can build stronger, more resilient municipalities that thrive in the face of challenges and seize opportunities for growth and prosperity.”, stated Mr. Dewan Kamal Ahmed, President, MAB and Mayor, Nilphamari Municipality. “I am thrilled to witness the launch of this innovative virtual platform, which marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to foster local economic development. Through this platform, MAB aims to empower municipalities across the country to share their experiences, best practices, and success stories, ultimately contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of our nation. This initiative underscores our commitment to building stronger, more vibrant communities and highlights the crucial role that local governments play in driving sustainable development.” mentioned Mr. Md. Khalid Hossain, Secretary General, Municipal Association of Bangladesh and Mayor, Madaripur Municipality. Mr. Markus Ehmann, Team Leader of PRABRIDDHI – Local Economic Development, Swisscontact further added “The PRABRIDDHI project, implemented by the LGD and Swisscontact, extends support to the municipalities of Bangladesh. Together with MAB, we want to improve the economic well-being of citizens of our partner municipalities. By enabling robust advocacy, peer exchange, and knowledge-sharing among municipalities, we are setting a new standard for collaborative growth. This platform will empower municipal leaders to implement innovative LED practices, fostering stronger, more resilient local economies”. Guests from the ministry, other municipalities, MAB and Swisscontact also graced the event. The event also featured a demonstration of the redesigned website and other social media platforms. Additionally, the invited participants enjoyed a laser show. The PRABRIDDHI project, co-implemented by the Local Government Division (LGD) and Swisscontact, is currently being implemented in seven municipalities: Bogura,