STAR BUSINESS REPORT

Bangladesh needs strong cooperation among the government, development partners and the private sector -- alongside adequate financing -- to achieve its development goals, Akira Matsunaga, deputy country director of Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Bangladesh Resident Mission, said yesterday.

“Bangladesh’s development ambitions will require not only financing, but also strong partnerships and effective implementation,” he said at the “Business Opportunities Seminar 2026” in Dhaka, organised by the ADB to highlight opportunities arising from projects funded by it and the World Bank.

“Forums such as today’s seminar help strengthen collaboration among government, development partners and the private sector to deliver sustainable development outcomes,” he added.

The ADB official also reiterated the multilateral lender’s commitment to supporting private-sector participation and strengthening partnerships to advance Bangladesh’s sustainable, inclusive and resilient development.

Jean Pesme, division director for Bangladesh and Bhutan at the World Bank, also underscored the importance of cooperation among development partners, government institutions and the private sector to support Bangladesh’s next phase of development.

SM Jakaria Huq, additional secretary and ADB wing chief at the Economic Relations Division (ERD), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency, fair competition and effective implementation of development-financed projects.

The seminar brought together more than 800 representatives from government agencies, development partners, the private sector, contractors, consultants, suppliers and financial institutions to promote collaboration and enhance participation in development projects.

Among others, SM Moin Uddin Ahmed, chief executive officer of the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority, and Sangita Ahmed, senior vice-president of the Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also attended the programme.