In a landmark move to position supply chains as engines of inclusive growth, job creation, and decent work, a first-of-its-kind government-industry collaborative platform was launched today at the BIDA Investment Summit.
The platform serves as a hub for policy dialogue and knowledge exchange. It puts policymakers and industry leaders at the same table to engage around policy and investment necessary to bring about decent work, local job creation, productivity, and economic growth. It encourages forward-looking industry leaders to share promising practices with their peers to drive value addition, improve working conditions, and boost competitiveness in global markets.
The Platform for Resilient Supply Chains was officially launched through a Letter of Intent signed by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The signing was witnessed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
The LoI outlines a comprehensive framework for cooperation, including the formation of thematic and sectoral working groups supported by a secretariat comprising BIDA, MoC, ILO, and UNDP.
Development partners welcomed it as a model for more coordinated development cooperation and public-private dialogue, particularly timely as development assistance becomes increasingly strategic and focused on scalable, high-impact initiatives
The initiative directly supports Bangladesh’s smooth transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026 and advances the objectives committed by the Government of Bangladesh to the CEACR of the ILO as outlined in the Roadmap on Labour Sector Reform (2021–2026).
Mr. Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman, BIDA, said:
“Today’s signing reflects our collective ambition to make Bangladesh a global destination for responsible investment. By bridging public policy and private sector leadership, we are building an ecosystem that fosters innovation, good governance, and an enabling environment for enterprises.”
Mr. Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, added:
“The Ministry of Commerce is proud to support this effort to align trade and investment policy with sound labour and environmental practices. This collaboration further positions Bangladesh as a credible and competitive player in global value chains.”
Tuomo Poutiainen, ILO Country Director, and Stefan Liller, UNDP Resident Representative, issued a joint statement:
“This initiative reflects a new model of development cooperation —one that promotes policy coherence, cross-sectoral collaboration, and national ownership. By embedding decent work and standards in trade and investment strategies, Bangladesh is laying the foundation for more resilient, inclusive, and job-rich growth.”
In a joint statement, Team Europe and Global Affairs Canada said:
“We strongly support Bangladesh’s commitment to decent work and responsible business conduct. As the country approaches LDC graduation in 2026, the partnership represents a timely and strategic move to diversify exports, strengthen labour rights, and enhance the country’s reputation as a responsible sourcing destination.”
The partners will now begin working toward operationalising the initiative, with initial activities and stakeholder engagement set to begin in the third quarter of 2025.
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