A regional campaign and seminar on local economic development and the role of municipalities was held in Bogra. Along with the event organized at Shaheed Titu Auditorium on Monday (August 25, 2025), a “three-day training workshop on local economic development” was also inaugurated with the participation of 60 officials and businessmen from 11 municipalities of Bogra district.
The event was organized with the support of the Local Economic Development Project-Growth (PRABRIDDHI), which is funded by the governments of Switzerland and Bangladesh and implemented by the Local Government Department and SwissContact Bangladesh.
The chief guest of the event was Bogra Deputy Commissioner and learned District Magistrate Hosna Afroza. Special guests included Jiban Krishna Saha Roy, Director General of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Rezaul Karim Badshah, former Mayor of Bogra Municipality, and Rokon Uddin Ahmed, Senior Advisor of SwissContact-Growth Project.
Md. Masum Ali Beg (Deputy Secretary), Administrator and Deputy Director of Local Government, Bogra Municipality, delivered the welcome address at the event. Citing the examples of Alibaba and Uber, he said, “Local-level small enterprises play an important role in local economic development. Such enterprises create employment and lay the foundation for large industrial and business activities. The Growth Project is strengthening the local economy by supporting these enterprises and providing institutional support.”
Speaking as a special guest, BIDA Director General Jiban Krishna Saha Roy said, “We are working with development agencies to attract domestic as well as foreign investors. While reforms are being implemented at the national level, their success at the local level depends on the activities of the local government. The Growth Project is working to reduce this gap. Along with industrial development, ensuring environmental protection will be the key to sustainable development.”
SwissContact-Growth Project Senior Advisor Rokon Uddin Ahmed presented the “Bangladeshi LED Model” and said, “Public-private partnership with the right strategy can bring about a big change in local economic development.” In addition, Bogra Municipality Executive Officer Shahjahan Alam presented the progress of the project and Bangladesh Agricultural Machinery Merchants Association (BAMMA) General Secretary Rajedul Rahman Raju highlighted the role of growth in the light engineering sector.
As part of the day-long campaign, a local product and trade fair and a competition for students were organized. Spirited BD, I Farmer and MIT Park actively participated in the fair in the continuation of light engineering and local entrepreneurship development, including women entrepreneurs. During this time, entrepreneurs displayed their own products and services and got the opportunity to communicate directly with buyers. In addition, citizens received various civic services including one-stop service center, trade license renewal, and holding tax payment from the municipality booth.
