DHAKA, Nov 25, 2024 (BSS) - The Economic Relations Division (ERD), Ministry
of Finance, has recently signed a grant Agreement worth € 3 million with the
International Labour Organization (ILO).

The Project entitled "Supporting a Talent Partnership with Bangladesh" will
be implemented from 2024-2027 (three years) in collaboration with the
Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and other
stakeholders with support and financing from the European Union (EU).

This project continues the long-standing legacy of collaboration between the
Government of Bangladesh and the International Labour Organization (ILO)
since Bangladesh's membership in the ILO on June 22, 1972.

Over the past 52 years, the ILO has provided both financial and technical
assistance to promote inclusive economic growth, productive employment, and
decent work for all in Bangladesh through partnerships with government
agencies, employers and workers' organizations.

Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of the ERD, and Tuomo Poutiainen,
country director of the ILO, signed the project agreement on behalf of their
respective sides, said an ERD press release here today.

The signing was witnessed by Michal Krejza, head of Development Cooperation
for the EU delegation to Bangladesh, AKM Sohel, additional secretary of ERD,
Md Saiful Haque Chowdhury, additional secretary of the Ministry of
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (MOEWOE), along with senior
officials from ERD, ILO, TMED and other relevant government agencies.

The overall project objective is to upskill Bangladeshi migrant workers in
occupational sectors such as health, engineering, ICT, care, hospitality,
construction and agriculture, in alignment with skilled labour needs of the
labour markets of Bangladesh and of select EU Member States.

Furthermore, the project will facilitate the establishment of regular and
safe labour migration pathways between Bangladesh and select EU Member
States.

As a result, the project interventions will contribute to the achievement of
Bangladesh's Five-Year Plan targets and the SDGs of education, labour and
reduction of inequalities (Goal 4, Goal 8 and Goal 10).