DHAKA, June 18, 2025 (BSS) - A high-level delegation from the World Bank visited field-level activities under the RAISE project in Dhamrai and Savar upazilas of Dhaka district on Tuesday.

As part of the visit, the delegation observed various activities implemented by Partner Organizations and interacted with youth who received training through the project, said a press release.

The World Bank's Senior Finance Officer Tipawan Bhutaprateep said, "Through innovative programs like economic inclusion and apprenticeship, the World Bank is supporting vulnerable groups and fostering resilience and sustainable development. 

"This project provides opportunities to people to raise their potential and it was truly inspiring and wonderfully energizing to witness firsthand the enthusiasm and pride of the micro-entrepreneurs in their work. The impact they are making in their communities is incredible, and it's heartening to see how lifting one person can have a ripple effect, lifting many others along with them."

The visit began with a lively interactive session with entrepreneurs who received training organized by Society for Development Initiatives (SDI) under the project. During the session, participants shared their journeys of starting enterprises, the skills they acquired through training, and how they have progressed with support from the project.

The team then visited apprenticeship program implemented by Social Upliftment Society (SUS) and Village Education Resource Center (VERC) in Savar. Delegates observed how the youth are receiving hands-on skills training in real-world work environments. 

They also visited the workplaces of graduates of the apprenticeship program and start-up initiatives of young entrepreneurs, expressing satisfaction with the project's impact.

 In this regard, WB's Senior Social Protection Economist and RAISE Task Team Leader Aneeka Rahman said that "RAISE demonstrates the many dimensions of meaningful economic inclusion. Vulnerable youth are gaining the skills they need to secure dignified, well-paying jobs. Microenterprises are receiving vital inputs to grow and thrive." 

The delegation further observed a 'Business Management and Entrepreneurship Development (BMED)' training session organized by SUS, where participants discussed their future plans and shared experiences related to their ventures. 

Later, during a meeting organized by VERC, the team interacted with Master Craftspersons (MCPs) involved in the apprenticeship program. The MCPs highlighted their role in youth skill development and the program's positive impact on youth employment. 

Members of the World Bank delegation included Tipawan Bhutaprateep, Senior Finance Officer; Aneeka Rahman, Senior Social Protection Economist and RAISE Task Team Leader along with other officials. 

PKSF's General Manager (progam) and RAISE Project Coordinator Dilip Kumar Chakravorty, Manager (program) & Deputy Project Coordinator Golam Gilane, and other relevant officials accompanied the delegates. Senior officials of the respective Partner Organizations were also present during the visit. 

The five-year, USD 250 million Recovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment (RAISE) project is being jointly implemented by the World Bank and PKSF. The project seeks to enhance the skills and create employment opportunities for 183,000 youth and micro-entrepreneurs in Bangladesh's informal sector. This project is playing vital role for the improvement of informal sector in Bangladesh.