DHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - The Economic Relations Division (ERD) and the 
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), today signed two project 
documents, Transformative Economic Policy Programme (TEPP) Phase- II and the 
Institutional Strengthening for Promoting Accelerated Transformation (ISPAT) 
at ERD in the Capital.

Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of ERD, and Stefan Liller, resident 
representative of UNDP Bangladesh, formally signed the documents on behalf of 
their respective institutions.

TEPP II will run from January 2026 to March 2028 with a total budget of about 
USD 3.57 million, funded by the UK Government. 

It will strengthen Bangladesh's trade and investment policy ecosystem to 
support a competitive post-LDC transition by enhancing trade negotiation 
capacity, evidence-based policy analysis, institutional reforms, and 
investment climate processes through the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and the 
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), said an UNDP press 
release.

ISPAT will be implemented from January 2026 to June 2027 with a budget of US$ 
1.06 million supported by the Australian Government. 

The project will strengthen and modernize the NGO Affairs Bureau through 
digital systems, improved transparency and gender-responsive service 
delivery, alongside policy reform and capacity development to enhance NGO 
oversight and engagement in national development priorities.

Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky highlighted, "These initiatives reflect our 
commitment to a holistic approach to institutional strengthening-building 
capacity, enhancing transparency and accountability, and fostering evidence-
based policymaking. Through these projects, we aim to develop confident, 
capable institutions and professionals who can effectively support good 
governance and Bangladesh's economic transformation, particularly during the 
post-LDC transition."

Stefan Liller said, "These two projects are highly strategic and catalytic, 
strengthening the institutions and policy ecosystems that underpin 
Bangladesh's economic transformation and governance reforms. Working closely 
with government and development partners, UNDP is committed to supporting 
nationally led, forward-looking reforms that will deliver long-term impact."

The signing of these two projects reaffirms the strong partnership between 
the government of Bangladesh, UNDP, and development partners in advancing the 
country's economic transition, strengthening public institutions, and 
promoting transparent, technology-enabled, and citizen-centric service 
delivery. 

Both TEPP II and ISPAT are expected to play pivotal roles in enabling 
stronger governance systems, fostering private sector competitiveness, and 
supporting Bangladesh's progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development 
Goals (SDGs).

Along with representatives from the Economic Relations Division (ERD), the 
event was graced by the presence of A K M Sohel, additional secretary and 
wing chief (UN), ERD; Md. Daud Miah ndc, director general (Additional 
Secretary) of NGO Affairs Bureau; Md. Muzib-Ul-Ferdous, director general 
(Additional Secretary) of BIDA; Mohammad Khairul Alam, deputy chief (Export 
Wing) of Ministry of Commerce; Syed Haider, first secretary and head of 
Development Cooperation, Australian High Commission; Asif Kashem, senior 
programme manager of Australian High Commission; Anowarul Haque, assistant 
resident representative of UNDP and Sheela Tasneem Haq, senior governance 
specialist of the UNDP.