Cox’s Bazar Correspondent

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, emphasised the need for a unified approach, promoting the multifaceted products of Cox’s Bazar and the hill tracts across the country.

She highlighted bamboo, cane, handicrafts, honey and indigenous fruits as key products requiring targeted support.

She underscored the importance of training and financial aid for local entrepreneurs, improving product quality and establishing exhibition and marketing centres in major cities to facilitate market expansion.

Collaborative campaigns by the government, NGOs and international partners could effectively increase consumer interest in these locally produced products, she added.

Speaking as chief guest at the National Launch of USAID’s "Host and Impacted Community Resilience Activity" on Monday at a hotel in Dhaka, she noted that utilising e-commerce platforms would enhance the products' online visibility, ensure prices for producers and foster local economic growth.

She further commended the joint efforts of the Bangladesh government and USAID, stressing that such initiatives leave no community behind and promote sustainable development, equity and social harmony.

International collaborations, she noted, are vital for achieving these goals.

US Chargé d'Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Bangladesh in achieving sustainable development in climate-vulnerable regions.

The event featured a photo gallery, a video presentation on the initiative, and a digital ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Key figures such as Manzoor Ahmed, President of Friends of Village Development Bangladesh, and Treena Bishop, chief of the party for the initiative, also addressed the gathering.

Policymakers, development partners and community representatives participated, sharing strategies to build resilience in affected communities.