BOGURA, Aug 25, 2025 (BSS) - Bogura municipality today organized a regional campaign and seminar on Local Economic Development (LED) and the Role of Municipalities. 

The event took place at Shaheed Titu Auditorium, where a three-day training workshop on LED was also inaugurated for 60 officials and business representatives from 11 municipalities across the Bogura district said a press release.

The campaign was supported by PRABRIDDHI, a Local Economic Development (LED) project jointly funded by the Governments of Bangladesh and Switzerland, and co-implemented by the Local Government Division (LGD) and Swiss contact Bangladesh.

 The chief guest of the event was Hosna Afroza, Deputy Commissioner and  District Magistrate of Bogura. 

Distinguished guests included Jiban Krishna Saha Roy, Director General of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA); Rezaul Karim Badshah, Former Mayor of Bogura Municipality; and Rukhen Uddin Ahmed, Senior Advisor of the PRABRIDDHI project. 

More than 300 participants—comprising local government officials, business representatives, journalists, women entrepreneurs, and student delegates—attended the program.

During the seminar, various initiatives taken by Bogura Municipality for expanding the light engineering sector and showcasing local entrepreneurial success stories were highlighted. Participants also gained insights into the processes of LED and strategies for developing long-term business plans.

 The welcome address was delivered by Md. Masum Ali Beg (Deputy Secretary), Administrator of Bogura Municipality and Deputy Director of Local Government. Citing examples of Alibaba and Uber, he said, “Small-scale initiatives at the local level play a crucial role in local economic development. These initiatives not only create employment but also lay the foundation for larger industries and businesses. The PRABRIDDHI project is working to strengthen the local economy by providing institutional support to such initiatives.”

 Speaking as a special guest, Jiban Krishna Saha Roy, Director General of BIDA, said, “Alongside foreign investors, we are working with development partners to attract local investors. While reforms are underway at the national level, their success depends largely on the activities of local government institutions. The PRABRIDDHI project is helping to bridge this gap. Without improving the business environment, strengthening the local economy will not be possible. Ensuring environmental protection alongside industrial development is the true key to sustainable growth.”

 Rukhen Uddin Ahmed, Senior Advisor of the PRABRIDDHI project presented the Bangladeshi LED model and shared experiences from different municipalities. He noted, “The Bangladeshi LED model has demonstrated to local governments that effective public-private partnership, supported by the right strategies, can transform local economic development.”

 Activities of the PRABRIDDHI project in Bogura Municipality were presented by Shahjahan Alam, Municipal Executive Officer, while Razedul Rahman Razu, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Agricultural Machinery Merchants Association (BAMMA), emphasized the project’s role in developing the light engineering sector.

 As part of the campaign, a day-long Local Products and Trade Fair and student competitions were organized. Enterprises such as Spirited BD, iFarmer, and MIT Park—alongside women entrepreneurs—participated actively in the fair. More than 1,000 local residents attended, where entrepreneurs showcased products and services while directly engaging with customers.

Citizens also received municipal services such as trade licenses, holding tax payments, and other civic facilities through the One-Stop Service Centre booth. Additionally, students from schools and colleges were introduced to entrepreneurship and LED concepts. The day-long event concluded with cultural performances by local groups, making the program vibrant and engaging for participants.