Current Projects
BUILD's Undertakings
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Project Brief
Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) must strengthen its capacity to provide better export promotional and diversification services. Given that there is a need to benchmark/compare the strengths of EPB with similar institutions of export promotion organisations in Malaysia, Vietnam, and South Korea to understand the gaps, the objective of the “Enhancing Export Data Transparency for the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB)” project is to overcome these challenges and prepare EPB to engage with the stakeholders effectively, adapt to market changes, and maintain a competitive edge in the global marketplaces the organisation needs to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for which EPB will do a need assessment on its own.
BUILD will accomplish the following activities:
- Analysis of the present mandate of EPB, system and services, in general, it is providing now
- Comparing with similar institutions of Export Promotion from Malaysia, Vietnam, and South Korea (SWOT-Analysis)
- Comparison of export promotion activities, including knowledge about organisational strength to work as an autonomous and independent entity in Malaysia (MATRADE), Vietnam (V-Trade) and South Korea
- Recommendation for a physical visit to any one of the countries mentioned above
Supporting the Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation of Bangladesh’s Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) Policy
International Trade Centre (ITC)
Project Brief
To support the effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the SPP Policy, BUILD and the International Trade Centre (ITC), in collaboration with BPPA, are conducting a project to assess the current status of policy awareness, participation, and challenges faced by Women Owned Enterprises (WoEs) and other stakeholders. The project is a continuation of previous policy advocacy activities jointly initiated by the ITC and BUILD, which included a baseline study, workshops, and consultations.
Activities of the project:
- Conducting a survey and interviews with 45 stakeholders, including 20 women entrepreneurs, seven (07) Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA) and Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) officials, and 13 procuring entities/government agencies, to understand the actual participation scenario and awareness levels regarding the SPP Policy.
- Evaluating the implementation status between December 2023 (policy adoption) and September 2024 (guidelines release).
- Identifying barriers and opportunities to enhance the participation of WoEs in public procurement.
- Proposing technical assistance, such as capacity building for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework development, if gaps are identified during the survey.
This initiative aims to support BPPA and other stakeholders in creating a more inclusive procurement environment, facilitating the successful integration of WoEs into public procurement, and ensuring robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for the SPP Policy.
Advocate for Regulatory and Policy-Related Issues on the Carbonated Beverage Industry in the Country
Beverage Manufacturers’ Association of Bangladesh
Project Brief
BUILD has taken up a project on “Tax policy Rationalisation for the Beverage industry in Bangladesh” with the Beverage Manufacturers’ Association of Bangladesh. The project aims to review the tax deducted at source and existing supplementary duty on beverage products in consultation with the stakeholders and policymakers. It also suggests that NBR rationalise the allied policies to make the industry competitive and self-reliant. Arranging three roundtables with government policymakers and industry stakeholders based on a white paper on this issue. One of the meetings was held on 13th August 2024 in the FBCCI conference room. For further validation, a second roundtable will be held by January 2025. The final roundtable will be held in May 2024 in the presence of both private and public sector stakeholders, where there will be a discussion on what can be done concerning policy calibration through the next Finance Act 2025.
The project team has provided research, technical, event management, and logistics support to organise the workshops/RTD for policy-related advocacy.
UNIDO (Lead Partner), Chatham House, EIB, Circle Economy
Project Brief
SWITCH2CE is an international development project co-funded by the EU and Find Land, which aims to support enterprises within the textile, plastics, and electronics value chains to adopt circular economy practices. The SWITCH2CE is running pilot projects in three countries. In Bangladesh, garment and textile suppliers of EU multinational companies will be assisted in switching to circularity.
In the context of the SWITCH2CE project, Chatham House worked with BUILD to produce high-quality research and convene Multiple stakeholder dialogues to promote a just and inclusive circular economy transition.
Project objectives are:
- BUILD has been serving as an implementation partner with Chatham House in delivering the following activities and ensuring that these have a legacy after the project duration.
- BUILD engaged in desk research, conducted interviews on Bangladesh’s policy landscape on the circular economy and produced observations and recommendations.
- BUILD is collaborating with CH to draft a policy study on Circular Textiles in Bangladesh (including the Informal sector) focusing on plastic to textile collection and recycling policies.
- Conduct relevant research activities (e.g. interviews and surveys) to inform the study and report
- BUILD convened a workshop/dialogue to get inputs and validation from relevant public, private sector, and civil society stakeholders.
Circle Economy Foundation
Project Brief
The project aimed to assess the impact of the EU’s circular economy textiles policies on low and middle-income country (LMIC) trading partners, specifically focusing on how these policies affect supply chain actors in Bangladesh. The project will identify gaps in policy, trade dynamics, and socio-economic impacts to support more inclusive, equitable EU textile policies.
Key activities are:
- Scoping and project initiation through workshops and consultations with key stakeholders.
- Case study research on trade flows, employment, and circular textile policies between the EU and Bangladesh.
- Impact assessment through stakeholder interviews, literature review, and socio-economic analysis.
- Validation of findings and drafting of synthesis reports.
- Dissemination of results, including publication, social media content, and engagement with stakeholders.
Bangladesh Trade Facilitation (BTF) Project, Land O’Lakes Bangladesh
Project Brief
The “Assessment on Agro-based Trade Associations” project in 2024 evaluated the operational capacity, strengths, challenges, and service capabilities of selected private sector associations involved in Bangladesh’s agro-trade sector. The study aimed to equip these associations to play a more effective role in domestic and global markets by addressing their organisational needs through tailored interventions. The assessment evaluated 13 trade associations across five agro-based product sectors: Plant and plant-based, fish and fish products, animal and animal products, and the agro-processed foods and feed sector.
Key activities were:
- Conducted capacity assessment using scoring and descriptive methods on 15 criteria.
- Collect secondary data and conduct KIIs with all 13 trade associations.
- Prepared standardised profiles with sector-specific recommendations targeting capacity-building interventions.
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Project Brief
BUILD, in collaboration with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), prepared a comprehensive report titled “Logistics Infrastructure Landscape and Emerging Skills Development Needs to Identify Investment Potential and Key Sectors for Growth” in 2024.
The background paper has analysed the present scenario of the country’s logistics sector and the coordination mechanism established for implementing logistics development activities after the announcement of the National Logistics Policy 2024 on 28 April 2024.
The project team provided research support to prepare a report on the Logistics Infrastructure Landscape and Emerging Needs for Skill Development in Bangladesh under this project with AIIB.
Technical Assistance, Coordination, and Secretariat Support to NLDCC and Its Sub-committees
The World Bank
Project Brief
For effective stewardship and institutional deepening of the logistics development effort, as recommended in the workshop in November 2022 in Dhaka, the National Logistics Development and Coordination Committee (NLDCC) was formed by the Government under the leadership of the Principal Secretary to the then Prime Minister Office (now Chief Advisor’s Office). NLDCC comprises all concerned ministries and agencies, leading private sector chambers, and think tanks. The World Bank, IFC, and BUILD have supported NLDCC since its ideation. To provide technical support to the NLDCC with relevant information about all the building blocks of logistics development in Bangladesh, the NLDCC has formed five thematic sub-committees:
- Policy Regulatory Framework
- Logistics Infrastructure
- Institutions and Skills Development
- Technology and Digitalisation
- Investment Promotion
The initiative, guided by the World Bank Group, aims to address logistical challenges, enhance trade facilitation, and create a robust infrastructure framework that aligns with global standards. The overarching goal is to streamline logistics operations across Bangladesh, fostering economic growth and international competitiveness.
Core Activities of the Project
Prepare a draft National Logistics Policy, thematic papers, briefing notes, working papers, presentations, meeting minutes, and workshop proceedings: monthly planning and progress reports, bi-monthly newsletter, and reform communication content. Logistics development initiative management dashboard, organise workshops, dialogues, stakeholder consultations, dissemination events, etc. Preparation of analytical and thematic outputs as required for NLDCC and its sub-committees.
BUILD’s Role and Responsibilities:
As the Deputy Team Leader and Communication Expert, BUILD played a pivotal role in delivering technical and operational support to NLDCC and its sub-committees, which include:
- Strategic Coordination and Implementation: Inputs for the Logistics Policy, draft thematic papers, presentations, meeting minutes, and organise workshops.
- Sub-Committee Leadership: Provided analytical and operational support to Sub-Committee 1 (Policy Regulatory Framework) and Sub-Committee 3 (Institutions and Skills Development), ensuring actionable outputs aligned with the overarching objectives.
- Stakeholder Mapping: Identified and mapped key stakeholders in the logistics ecosystem to facilitate targeted consultations and collaborations.
- Post-Workshop Reporting: Documented and synthesised outcomes from FGDs and workshops into actionable reports and recommendations for strategic planning.
- National Logistics Website Content: Designed and developed relevant content for the National Logistics Website of Bangladesh, ensuring accessibility and alignment with sectoral priorities.
BUILD’s role and contribution to the logistics policy, institutional development, and multi-stakeholder coordination positioned the organisation as a critical partner in this project. By delivering high-quality outputs, BUILD contributed to shaping the logistics development strategy for Bangladesh, ensuring alignment with national priorities and international best practices. This involvement underscores BUILD’s capacity to lead complex, multi-dimensional projects and its commitment to fostering sustainable economic development in Bangladesh.
Activities Performed:
- Coordinating implementable tasks as per the terms of reference of the Sub-committee
- FGD on Business Justification for the preparation of policy memo for logistics sector-related policy reform
- Preparing the Postworkshop outcome and FGD report
- Stakeholders mapping of the logistics sector
- Content development for the national logistics website of Bangladesh
- Arrange stakeholders’ consultation sessions, etc.
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Project Brief
The objective of this assignment was to expand the mandate for the Textile Sustainable Platform (TSP) to evolve into the Textile Competitiveness Platform (TCP) and to advocate for alternative pathways for the sector to remain competitive in the global apparel market, particularly in the post-COVID era. Specific duties and accountabilities, which it carried out in consultation with the IFC, included but were not limited to
- A review of the background papers (diversification of products, markets, and industry; access to finance; sustainability) that have emerged from the post-COVID-19 recovery dialogues mentioned above, to understand the key areas of reforms and identify the implementation agencies.
- Identify the implementation status of the recommendations that were put forward by the series of dialogues and key challenges to implementation and propose the next steps or recommendations that would expedite the implementation of these reforms.
- Identify the top five reform areas that will catalyse green growth in the industry
- Identify potential members and the structure/governance of the Textile Competitiveness Platform (for example, chair and co-chair of the TCP) based on the first and second activities above, and prepare an estimated annual budget for TCP operation.
- Prepare TCP TOR-scope of work deliverables and develop a road map for TCP to advocate the top five identified reform areas from the third activity above
- Establish the TCP Platform and formalise the platform. Organise the first round of the TCP meeting.
- Organise at least one follow-up meeting of the TCP (sending out invitations to participants, preparing agenda, arranging meeting logistics, conducting the meeting, and preparing minutes of the meetings).
- Assist the TCP in preparing recommendations for consideration by the government and other relevant actors, such as the industry associations. This will include conducting in-house research, commissioning research by others, preparing position papers based on research findings and finalising recommendations after meetings of the working groups and the Platform.
- Conduct advocacy with government and industry associations to help ensure that the relevant players act upon recommendations.
The primary activities focused on reporting the implementation status of the recommendations outlined during the series of dialogues, identifying key challenges hindering their progress, and proposing actionable next steps or recommendations to expedite the implementation of these reforms.
International Trade Centre
Project Brief
In 2022, in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC)-She Trades, BUILD initiated a policy advocacy programme to support women entrepreneurs under Outcome Indicator 1.1 in the She Trades in Commonwealth projects. ITC aimed to assist governments in implementing measures that supported inclusive trade, focusing on helping women benefit from public procurement opportunities.
ITC supported Bangladesh in adopting a formal definition of “women-led” or “women-owned” businesses, collecting data on women-led/owned businesses, providing training for procurement officials, and offering recommendations to make the Public Procurement Policy and Regulations more gender-responsive. Across these activities, 10 events were held with stakeholders in Bangladesh.
BUILD supported the following:
- Organising logistics, communications, and reporting for events
- Identifying local institutions and administering interviews
- Liaising with local stakeholders to participate in dialogues
- Supporting with technical inputs for training materials and discussions
BUILD successfully conducted the work below for this project.
- Adopt a formal definition of “women-led” or “women-owned” businesses in Bangladesh
- Collect data on women-owned businesses
- Provide training for women-owned businesses and procurement officials
- Make the Public Procurement Policy more gender-responsive.
Bangladesh Trade Facilitation (BTF) Project, Land O’Lakes Bangladesh, USDA
Project Brief
The objective of this assignment by BUILD was to help the Bangladesh Trade Facilitation (BTF) project validate the outline of content for the agro-trade portal based on consultations with private sector stakeholders and to compile and analyse the input from these audiences. BTF prepared an outline or design for the agro-trade portal. The main target of the exercise by BUILD was to validate the structure/outline with stakeholder inputs and provide recommendations about the topics for content. The technical approach for implementing the project was realistic, phased, and beneficiary-oriented. The design and content were strictly based on the needs and demands of the potential beneficiaries. BTF constructed a transparent and comprehensive information hub.
Three significant tasks were conducted under this project:
- Understand and Validate Information Needs of the Private Sector Only for International Trade Through Consultation — Meeting People and Businesses: BUILD made a list of stakeholders, including the private sector, exporters, importers, think tanks, and so on, based on the list of stakeholders prepared by BTF.
- Detailing or Elaborating the Outline: BUILD improved the outline prepared by BTF, involving sequencing or prioritising the items in the structure/outline.
- Recommendations on Contents and Design: BUILD provided recommendations about content and design considerations focusing only on how the information flow will be organised so that it is accessible and friendly to the user.
International Finance Corporation
Project Brief
Through the “Project on Support to Organise Stakeholder Outreach and Consultation Programmes,” BUILD supported and conducted two events: stakeholder consultation and stakeholder outreach. The project’s objective was to prepare several policy notes and documents to enhance trade facilitation and trade policy reform in Bangladesh in its ongoing reform initiatives with the National Board of Revenue.
BUILD communicated with the public and private sector stakeholders to organise virtual meetings and support the project, including the following areas:
- Organised comprehensive awareness-raising programmes for traders at four key customs houses and bond Commissionerate to guide them on how to ensure business continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic following the workplace health safety protocol, i.e. how to maintain social distancing in the manufacturing unit, handle customers, sanitise factory/shop/office, and promote good respiratory hygiene in the workplace.
- Organised stakeholder consultation workshops on new policies and processes for trading across borders.
- Organised stakeholder consultation meetings with relevant sectors and stakeholders to streamline bond-related rules, guidelines, and instructions.
- Organised stakeholder consultation meetings with seven priority sectors and concerned stakeholders from the GoB for tariff modernisation initiatives.
- Organised workshops/training programmes for Women-Owned Entrepreneurs (WOE) on conducting trade during the COVID-19 pandemic following the health safety guidelines and increasing awareness on the recent trade-related GoB’s ICT solutions, etc.
Provide Policy Advocacy Support Through Structured Public Private Dialogue (SPPD) to Enhance Competitiveness of Selected Manufacturing Sectors (Phase 2)
International Finance Corporation
Project Brief
The objective of the assignment was to support the Sector Competitiveness for Bangladesh (SCA4BD) project through policy advocacy for reforms by conducting research, developing reform recommendations, organising structured public-private dialogue, and monitoring and follow-up for reform implementation. To implement the project, the consultant coordinated with the key government ministries, agencies, private sectors, chambers, associations, think tanks, academia, etc.
The consultant worked closely with PSDPCC, a high-level committee at the Prime Minister’s office (present CAO), for practical policy coordination. The consultant is targeted to achieve reforms that can significantly improve Bangladesh’s investment and export competitiveness in selected non-RMG sectors. The reforms addressed sector-focused issues related to competitiveness, export, investment, etc.
The consultant has undertaken the following tasks:
- Provided policy advocacy support on the COVID-19 response and recovery for the priority sectors and updated the Strategic Export Roadmaps developed for Leather Goods and Non-Leather Footwear, Plastic and Light Engineering sectors in light of the context of the pandemic.
- Provided policy advocacy support to identify, pursue and access international markets for locally produced Medical and Personal Protective Equipment (MPPE) products
- Identified gaps in the standards developed by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute (BSTI) in export potential products, for which standards are either not in place or do not match international standards, and testing parameters are not set. Developed recommendations to harmonise those additional product standards in Bangladesh.
- Conducted brief analysis of areas identified in Women’s Business and Law and developed policy recommendations for Bangladesh.
- Tracked and measured the impact, results and effectiveness of the approved and implemented reforms based on agreed indicators and actions through Corporate Cost Saving (CCS) calculation and a range of other methods, as agreed.
International Finance Corporation
Project Brief
The Ministry of Commerce and IFC-WBG are implementing a project titled “Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J)” to increase competition in different export sectors of Bangladesh. The project aims to contribute to export diversification and more and better jobs in the targeted sectors (leather and leather goods, footwear, light engineering, and plastics). The project is to support the private sector companies in these targeted sectors and address key constraints they face in accessing export markets, enhancing productivity, improving environmental, social, and quality standards, and collective infrastructure facilities.
BUILD extended cooperation to the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) in the policy advocacy for export competitiveness in the above sectors under this project, with the help of IFC and WBG in various aspects of policy, technical expertise for the promotion of leather and leather goods, plastic and engineering-electrical products’ competitiveness and diversity, quality assessment, human resources development, tax duties, funding and financing issues so that these sectors can be compliant and lead to sustainable investments. Key factors of these sectors were concentrated on four specific topics:
- Environmental and social compliance
- Market information and branding
- Productivity, product quality and price competitiveness
- Supportive infrastructure
The project supported the BICF (Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund) programme in policy advocacy for reforms by conducting research, developing reform recommendations, organising structured public-private dialogue, and monitoring and follow-up for reform implementation. In this process, BUILD coordinated with the key government ministries, agencies, private sectors, chambers, associations, think tanks and academia, as needed. The consultant also worked closely with the Private Sector Development Policy Coordination Committee (PSDPCC) at PMO (now CAO) for effective policy coordination. This project is targeted to achieve reforms that have significantly improved Bangladesh’s investment and export competitiveness, including those affecting women. The reforms were focused on:
- Economy-wide regulatory issues impeding investments, including local and Foreign Direct Investments
- Sector-focused issues related to competitiveness, export, trade connectivity, logistics, etc. and
- Regulatory and procedural issues faced by women-in-businesses.
Provide Policy Advocacy Support Through Structured Public-Private Dialogue to Enhance Competitiveness of Selected Manufacturing Sectors
International Finance Corporation
Project Brief
The objective of the assignment is to support the Sector Competitiveness for Bangladesh (SCA4BD) project through policy advocacy for reforms related to competitiveness, export, investment, etc. that will significantly improve the investment and export competitiveness of Bangladesh in selected non-RMG sectors. BUILD would conduct research, develop reform recommendations, organise structured public-private dialogue, and conduct monitoring and follow up for reforms implementation to accomplish the objective.
BUILD would carry out policy advocacy on the COVID-19 response and recovery for the priority sectors and update the Strategic Export Roadmaps developed for Leather Goods and Non-Leather Footwear; Plastic and Light Engineering sectors. It would help identify, pursue and access international markets for the locally produced Medical and Personal Protective Equipment (MPPE) products. Gaps in the quality certification and standards provided by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute (BSTI) for export potential products will be identified. BUILD would perform a brief analysis of areas identified in Women Business and Law and develop policy recommendations for Bangladesh.
BUILD would work closely with Private Sector Development Policy Coordination Committee (PSDPCC), a high-level committee at the Prime Minister’s office, for effective policy coordination. It would coordinate with key government ministries, agencies, private sector chambers and associations, as well as think tanks and academia.
Assessing Adaptation Investment Opportunities for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Southwest Coastal Bangladesh
Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)
Project Brief
The project seeks to explore climate change vulnerabilities, current gender-sensitive adaptation practices and potential adaptation investment options for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in selected districts of Southwest Bangladesh – Satkhira, Bagerhut and Khulna – which are especially vulnerable to the hazards of climate change.
To assess the major investment needs for adaptation of MSMEs and mobilise investment, BUILD would associate with key stakeholders, including government organisations, private sectors, as well as civil society organisations, to accumulate existing knowledge of stakeholders. BUILD would hold divisional and district level consultations and conduct several Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). The data would be analysed and synthesised to identify the selected sectors’ key adaptation investment needs and opportunities. Policy bottlenecks or awareness gaps hindering investment would also be identified. The project would result in a range of knowledge products, including policy briefs, infographics, and case studies on the research and stakeholder engagement issues.
Harnessing the Private Sector in Creating Economic Opportunities for Climate Migrants
PROKAS; British Council; UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Project Brief
This project intends to create more employment opportunities in secondary cities like Mongla by facilitating investments into high-potential business opportunities so that climate migrants from vulnerable regions can find livelihood opportunities in these cities.
BUILD carried out brief sectoral assessment, sector prioritisation and then developed business plans for selected high-potential sectors. Some of the major sectors identified include agri-business, waste recycling, and drinking water. However, in the context of COVID-19, a major priority has been to support businesses in Southwest Bangladesh to recover and grow in the aftermath of the pandemic.
BUILD would assess financial blockages and identify other barriers to businesses in the wake of the pandemic. BUILD would also seek to enable business resilience through technical assistance to enable business resilience. High-level policy advocacy would be held to facilitate business’ access to concessional finance, with a special focus on the cottage, micro and small entrepreneurs, as well as women-owned businesses.
World Bank Group
Project Brief
The project aims to conduct policy advocacy for business-enabling reforms by conducting research, developing reform recommendations, organising structured public-private dialogues, and monitoring and following up for reforms implementation under the support of the Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund (BICF) program.
BUILD would identify areas for reform in consultation with stakeholders. It would review, validate and expand upon the BICF analyses on the reform areas. Based on the identification of the most effective design for dialogues, BUILD would arrange a series of high-level dialogues with public and private stakeholders in order to facilitate reforms pertaining to the objective of the assignment. The stakeholders would include key government ministries, agencies, private sectors, chambers, associations, think tanks and academia. BUILD will also have to work closely with Private Sector Development Policy Coordination Committee (PSDPCC) at the Prime Minister’s office.
The project seeks to achieve at least six reforms that will significantly improve Bangladesh’s investment and export competitiveness, including those affecting women. The reforms will focus on economy-wide regulatory issues impeding local and foreign investments; sector-focused issues related to competitiveness, export, trade connectivity, logistics; regulatory and procedural issues faced by women-in-businesses.
Measuring the Administrative Burden of the Company Registration Process in Bangladesh
Feed the Future Bangladesh Improving Trade and Business Enabling Environment (FtFBITBEE), USAID
Project Brief
This study aims to obtain detailed data on constraints encountered in the process of interaction with public and private sector stakeholders at all stages of company registration and post-registration. BUILD is conducting a study assessing the various stages, including name clearance, obtaining a company registration certificate, trade license, TIN, VAT registration, and so on.
The seven main focusing areas of the project are reduction of the time for business registration, reduction of the number of company registration steps, reduction of the total cost, increasing the number of newly registered businesses, increasing the transparency of business registration processes, standardising and unifying existing procedures at the national level, and improving the country’s ranking on Doing Business index.
BUILD has implemented a survey on different business organisations regarding their company registration process during March-April 2021. A focus group discussion was also held to validate survey findings. BUILD is currently preparing a detailed study report and looks forward to disseminating the study findings for policy uptake.
United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)
Project Brief
As the Bangladesh economy is grappling with the challenges posed by the COVID-19, the government has come up with a series of stimulus and measures to buoy up the private sector, the central pillar of growth for the country. It is essential to inform the government’s policies with concrete data from the field level to ensure effective economic recovery measures. In that context, BUILD is conducting a perception survey on the ‘Impact of COVID-19 on the Manufacturing Sector in Bangladesh’ with support from the UNIDO Dhaka Office. The survey aims to collect responses from the manufacturing organisations on the ongoing and perceived future impact of COVID-19 on their businesses.
The survey result will be used to inform government responses aiming to support businesses during the crisis. The survey is a follow-up to the first impact assessment survey conducted in June-July 2020. The questionnaire has been sent online to the different manufacturing industries in different districts of the country. The questionnaire mainly focuses on the current and expected impact of COVID-19 on the manufacturing sectors in the country. The survey also focuses on the considered and taken measures for dealing with COVID-19 by the manufacturing firms.
Linking Stimulus, Domestic Demand, and Employment: Assessing the Challenges and Devising Policy Strategies
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Project Brief
This study focuses on the assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the economy of the country. The impact of the stimulus packages announced by the government in the first phase would be analysed linking to demand, investment and employment generation. The current state of the private sector will be analysed using different variables. At the same time, the needs and requirements that should be addressed in the second phase of the stimulus package would be identified.
A focus group discussion has been organised on 23 May 2021 to gather insights on the current situation of the private sector. Relevant stakeholders such as large industries, CMSMEs, policymakers, academicians, etc. have participated in this discussion. In collaboration with Policy Exchange, BUILD has been working on data analysis and documentation for preparing the study report. Based on the study’s findings, policy advocacy will be conducted focusing on the formulation of an effective second stimulus package linking with demand, consumption, employment and investment.
Road Map for Reform in Public Procurement Policies to Overcome COVID-19 Situation and Increasing Access to Public Procurement for Women Entrepreneurs
ITC SheTrades
Project Brief
The objective of the project is to know the actual extent of women’s participation in the public procurement system and identify barriers that are the reasons behind women’s low level of engagement in this platform,
Activities included the development of a concept note, consultation meeting with the Director General (DG) of the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) and other officials. BUILD and ITC jointly organised dialogues on “Engaging Women Entrepreneurs in Public Procurement” and “Gender-Responsive Public Procurement in Bangladesh: A New Methodology”. In February and March 2021, BUILD conducted a series of key informant interviews with relevant institutions to assess the situation and determine the barriers faced by WEs as tenderers participating in public procurement. Based on the findings, recommendations were proposed by BUILD that went on to be endorsed for implementation in the March 2021 dialogue. The CPTU is responding to prepare a roadmap for a gender-responsive Public Procurement, implementing a project for gender-responsive PPR and started the process of the gender-segregated database for women-owned businesses.
International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group
Project Brief
The Textile Sustainability Platform (TSP), a public-private dialogue platform, aims to strengthen environmental sustainability and resource use efficiency in the textile sector of Bangladesh under the Partnership for Cleaner Textile (PaCT) program. Since its inception in May 2014, the Textile Sustainability Platform (TSP) platform has served as a dialogue and advocacy forum composed of stakeholders from the government, private sector, and non-governmental organisations. The TSP has driven results such as contributing towards a supplementary duty increase for Zero Discharge on Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) and forming the Green Transformation Fund by the Bangladesh Bank.
Under this project, BUILD would extend research, technical, and secretarial support to the TSP. This would encompass conducting small-scale studies, developing relevant recommendations, help convene the TSP meetings, and receive inputs and endorsement from the platform. BUILD would submit the recommendations endorsed by TSP to the Sustainability and Green Growth Working Committee (SGG) of BUILD chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change as well as the President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). The SGGWC will consider and make policy decisions based on the recommendations.
Chemonics International, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Project Brief
Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chemonics, the implementer of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) ‘s Asia and Middle East Economic Growth (AMEG) project to coordinate their approach to activities promoting regional connectivity in South Asia.
Under this MOU, BUILD would serve as a key partner for AMEG on regional activities and help identify opportunities for enhancing regional connectivity and trade, facilitate connections with Bangladeshi stakeholders, and provide feedback when necessary. AMEG will identify opportunities for collaboration with BUILD, develop scopes of work, and enter into agreements that include specific areas of cooperation. AMEG and BUILD helped carry out a two-day Task Force Workshop in India in April 2017 to design a demonstration pilot for enhancing regional connectivity. This task force and pilot activity seek to bring together public and private sector stakeholders to demonstrate the viability and positive impact of allowing express shipments through land ports between Bangladesh and India.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Project Brief
BUILD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support the private sector to make safe investment and sustainable business on 13 August 2015. A project was initiated in 2016 to promote national capacity and enabling environment for business resilience, better service delivery to the poor and the vulnerable, and redressing grievances.
The project also aims to form and strengthen a PPD Platform for Sustainability and Resilience towards green growth and development and establish a strong partnership for research-backed advocacy for the private sector to simplify the environment-related policy regime. Under the collaboration, BUILD formed the Sustainability and Green Growth Working Committee as a PPD platform. BUILD team also conducted two studies on harmonisation of CSR policies and management of water quality by businesses. UNDP and BUILD continue to engage on sustainability and environmental issues around the SGGWC platform.
International Trade Centre, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Project Brief
BUILD has undertaken an initiative to document licenses and certificates for the export sector, based on its past experience of assessing regulatory documentation requirements for various sectors. BUILD is creating an online step-by-step guide for exporters using eRegulations, an electronic tool developed by United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD). BUILD partnered with Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) in order to implement this project under the guidance of the Ministry of Commerce (MoC). International Trade Centre (ITC) and UNCTAD are providing technical and financial support for this initiative.
Non-tariff measures (NTMs) are a significant hindrance to international trade and market access, especially for the exporters and importers in developing countries like Bangladesh. Administrative procedures in the home country regarding export are often very complex, and information required to meet the technical and other regulations is not always available. The project aims to increase the transparency of administrative procedures for businesses to facilitate export by creating a step-by-step guide for exporters.
Expert PPD Support to Selected Reform Initiatives With the Various Ministries and Agencies
International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group
Project Brief
The project mainly aims at supporting business-enabling reforms through holding timely and evidence-based public-private dialogue. The Private Sector Development Policy Coordination Committee (PSDPCC) at the Prime Minister’s Office is a key forum for such policy reform discussions. BUILD undertook issue-based research, developed recommendations, organised structured dialogues at the PSDPCC and other committees, and conducted targeted advocacy for reforms. Following decisions at the PPDs about policy reforms, BUILD conducted rigorous follow-up with relevant ministries and agencies to monitor and evaluate progress as well as impact.
BUILD also provided technical PPD support to the Board of Investment’s sectoral initiatives by facilitating the consultation sessions as well as recommending issues for consideration. BUILD conducted effective and result-oriented PPDs for finalising the proposed Industrial Policy 2015. The government formally accepted some sectoral reform proposals. Besides facilitating the PPD channel, BUILD also introduced a feedback mechanism through SMS as well as engaged key counterparts from academia and think tanks.
International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group
Project Brief
The project sought to conduct dialogue and consultation with the divisional level stakeholders to collect their views and opinions on critical issues to formulating an effective policy for industrialisation that can create wide-ranging benefits and establishment of industries across the country. Ministry of Industries and BUILD jointly arranged five divisional stakeholder consultations at Chittagong, Sylhet, Barishal, Rajshahi and Rangpur as well as a few expert consultation sessions engaging more than 500 stakeholders, experts, university faculty, thank tanks, chamber leaders, and media personalities. The programmes contributed to the finalisation of the National Industrial Policy 2016. Representatives of district chambers and members were invited to these consultations to raise local issues. The salient points of the recommendations that emerged out of the consultations were: ensuring one-stop service at the Ministry of Industries for supporting entrepreneurs, a rationalised and harmonised definition of industries, ensuring non-discriminatory policies and tax holiday benefits for both local and foreign investors, special incentives and marketing strategy for women entrepreneurs, and special incentives for environmentally-friendly industries.
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