Economic Reporter :
Social Development Foundation organized an inception workshop to introduce its new project NJLIP at Hotel Castle Salam, Khulna recently.
The workshop was presided over by AZM Sakhawat Hossain, Managing Director of SDF. Divisional Commissioner Abdus Samad was present there as Chief Guest; Sugata Talukder, Representative of World Bank and Faruque Hossain, Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Khulna were present as special guests.
At the same time many other Divisional and District level government officials, eminent journalists from the print and electronic media also attended the event. In the welcome speech, the Managing Director added that since 2003, SDF has successfully completed Social Investment Program project I and II and it has improved lives and livelihoods of 6 million direct beneficiaries who belong to hardcore poor and poor cohort of the rural communities.
He disclosed the key outputs and results of the recently completed SIPP-II project and at the same time briefly explained the key strategies and expected outcomes of newly launched NJLIP project covering a significant part of Khulna division. Finally, he sought cooperation and coordination from the relevant departments of the GOB.
MD Golam Faruque, Regional Director, Khulna presented key notes of SDF & NJLIP and expressed heartiest gratitude to all participants for visiting SDF NJLIP program sharing.
In the workshop Sugata Talukder, the representative of the World Bank has mentioned the importance of NJLIP to implement in the Khulna region.
He added that Bangladesh is facing challenges to eradicate poverty in the last three decades and presently, it is still about 22% of the total population.
Recent next, the World Bank is going to formulate their country strategic execution plan jointly with GoB complying with seventh fiveyear strategic plan. He appreciated the performance and success of SIPP-I and SIPP-II of SDF and made his strong commitment to deliver support in further.
Faruque Hossain, Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) expressed his satisfaction, which he observed in last project of SDF in Bagherhat districts. He wishes to support SDF for meaningful execution and achieving anticipated targets of Khulna division, particularly eradicating poverty and improving livelihoods of the poorest peoples of the rural communities.
Abdus Samad, the Chief Guest of the inception workshop added that since starting NJLIP works in Khulna division, SDF is maintaining an effective communication with the local administration and other departments for seeking their support and facilitation.
He also advised to include some new approaches and innovative events in the project such as to include drinking water and innovative IGAs for the coastal and Sundarban depended poorest people. In his concluding voice, he added that the local administration and his concerned departments would ensure all sorts of cooperation and cordial support.
