Ministry of Youth, ILO launch project in Cox's Bazar

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Zahid Ahsan Russell MP inaugurated a project of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the ILO Bangladesh at a hotel in Cox's Bazar on Tuesday.

The ILO is implementing the project, funded by the governments of Canada and the Netherlands, in partnership with BRAC, UNDP and FAO.

The state minister in his speech said the project will be implemented in Cox's Bazar till November 2025. If the project is successfully executed, employment and self-employment opportunities will be created for 24,000 people aged 18-35 years.

The project will make local women and youth of Cox's Bazar sufficiently skilled, so that they can engage themselves in decent work or start their own business. These people will play a major role in the district's socio-economic development, he added.

High Commissioner of Canada Lily Nicholls said, "We are delighted to support resilience building efforts of the local communities in Cox's Bazar, who are being affected by the chronic regional crisis."

"Women's economic empowerment is the key to sustainable growth. We are pleased to work with our partners to build 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 noted.

Theses Waudsta, Chargé d' Affaires of the Netherlands, said, "The Netherlands is happy to extend its support to the local community of Cox's Bazar, as we believe that no one should be left behind."

ILO Bangladesh Country Director Tuomo Pautianen said, "The world of work is changing rapidly. 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 use of artificial intelligence."

Among others, Secretary of Ministry of Youth and Sports Mohiuddin Ahmed, Director General of Department of Youth Development Md Azharul Islam Khan, Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar Muhammad Shaheen Imran, President of Cox's Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Abu Morshed Chowdhury, NCC Representative Naemul Ahsan Jewell and representatives of BRAC, UN partner agencies, FAO and UNDP were present on the occasion.

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