Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today emphasized the necessity of a unified strategy to enhance the promotion of Cox’s Bazar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts’ diverse products nationwide. She identified bamboo, cane, handicrafts, honey, and indigenous fruits as critical products that need focused support.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizwana highlighted the importance of training and financial assistance for local entrepreneurs, as well as the need to improve product quality. She also advocated for the establishment of exhibition and marketing centers in major cities to facilitate market expansion. Rizwana suggested that collaborative campaigns by the government, NGOs, and international partners could effectively increase consumer interest in these local products.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at the National Launch of USAID’s “Host and Impacted Community Resilience Activity” at a city hotel, Rizwana noted the role of e-commerce platforms in boosting the products’ online visibility. This approach, she argued, would ensure fair prices for producers and foster local economic growth. She praised the joint efforts of the Bangladesh government and USAID, emphasizing that such initiatives ensure no community is left behind while promoting sustainable development, equity, and social harmony.
International collaborations, she noted, are essential for achieving these objectives. U.S. Charg© d’Affaires in Dhaka, Tracey Ann Jacobson, reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Bangladesh in its pursuit of sustainable development in climate-vulnerable regions.
The event included a photo gallery, a video presentation on the initiative, and a digital ribbon-cutting ceremony. Manzoor Ahmed, President of Friends of Village Development Bangladesh, and Treena Bishop, Chief of Party for the initiative, also addressed the audience. Policymakers, development partners, and community representatives participated in the function, sharing strategies to build resilience in affected communities.