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Bangladesh Foreign Minister Puts Emphasis on ESG and Economics of Mutuality for Sustainability” 5th International Conference on Inclusive Business” held at Le Meridien Hotel, Dhaka.
Dhaka, 15 September 2021
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen inaugurated the 5th International Conference on Inclusive Business at Le Meridian Hotel in Dhaka today. Dutch Bangla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DBCCI) and SNV Netherlands Development Organizations jointly organized the day-long conference on finding inclusive models for businesses targeted at eradicating poverty.
The conference was attended by Ismene Stalpers, Country Director, SNV Bangladesh, Sheikh Yusuf Harun, Executive Chairman, BEZA, Md. Sirazul Islam, Executive Chairman, BIDA, Md. Jashim Uddin, President, FBCCI, and Md. Anwar Shawkat Afser, President, Dutch Bangla Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DBCCI) amongst others.
In his keynote, Dr. Momen stressed on the need for a strategic shift towards incorporating elements of sustainability, renewability, inclusivity, economic and social justice, and the eradication of systemic bias as desired outcomes of both public and private sector enterprises. Dr. Momen mentioned that, much like the Netherlands, Bangladesh is also a pioneer of the ESG ( Environment, Social, Governance) model of conducting business.
Dr. Momen referred to the model of inclusive and stakeholder-centric leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina which puts economy, ecology and governance at various epicentres of statecraft as a whole. Dr. Momen noted that the renewed emphasis of the Government on ‘Economic Diplomacy’ is based around the axis of connecting factor markets to the consumer markets with an ICT driven finance and business model.
Equitability and social justice are important cornerstones of the development ideation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Government – the Foreign Minister noted. The Foreign Minister also noted that Bangladesh is now looking for opportunities where its youthful workforce could contribute meaningfully to the global productivity and finance networks.
He sought greater Dutch cooperation in the field of social and inclusive business enterprises. Dr. Momen said that Bangladesh is fighting back the twin dangers of the COVID19 pandemic and rapidly deteriorating climatic conditions with grit, resilience and innovation.
