Online Desk  :  Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that a concerted effort is needed to promote the versatile products of Cox’s Bazar and the hilly areas such as bamboo, cane, handicrafts, honey, and hill fruits in the country’s market. “It’s important to provide training and financial support to local entrepreneurs. In addition to increasing the quality of the products, setting up exhibition and marketing centers in major cities of the country will make market expansion easier. It is necessary to increase the interest of buyers in local products by conducting campaigns in collaboration with the government, NGOs, and international partners,” said Rizwana.

She said this while speaking as the chief guest at the national inauguration ceremony of the USAID’s “Host and Impacted Community Resilience Activity” program at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka on Monday. She also said that it is possible to popularize the products online by increasing the use of e-commerce platforms. Through this, producers will get fair prices and the local economy will prosper. She said, “This joint initiative of the Bangladesh government and USAID will help ensure that no community is left behind. it is important to take international initiatives for sustainable development, equity and social cohesion.”

At the event, US Charge d’Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson said, “The United States is committed to supporting Bangladesh in the sustainable development of climate change-prone areas.” The opening ceremony was inaugurated with a photo gallery, a video exhibition on the activities and a digital ribbon cutting. Friends of Village Development Bangladesh President Manjur Ahmed and Project Head Trina Bishop also spoke at the event. The event was attended by policymakers, development partners and community representatives. They discussed strategies to increase the resilience of affected communities.