Unleashing Inclusive Business (IB) to achieve Sustaintable Development Goals (SDGs)

On 5th June 2016, SNV, Business Call to Action (BCtA), in cooperation with Inclusive Business Accelerator (IBA), The Partnering Initiative (TPI), UNDP Bangladesh and Business Fights Poverty, hosted an event introducing Inclusive Business in Bangladesh to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by world leaders in 2015.

17 SDGs are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which commits to ending poverty, fighting inequality and injustice, and tackling climate change by 2030. Bangladesh has taken the first step in achieving SDGs with the introduction of Inclusive Business (IB), a significant tool in achieving the SDGs. The event was led by a distinguished panel of speakers, including Mr. AHM Mustafa Kamal, Honourable Minister of Planning, Government of Bangladesh; Prof. Shamsul Alam, Senior Secretary Member, General Economic Division, Planning Commission; Mr. Rajeev Munankami, Team Leader, FSM project, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, Mr. Jamal Uddin, Inclusive Business & Capacity Building Advisor, Working with Women Project, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation; Ms. Pauline Tamesis, Country Director, UNDP; Sahba Sobhani, Programme Advisor-Private Sector, UNDP (Istanbul). The event was an ideal platform to showcase Working with Women project’s IB initiatives, as well as recent successes.

The Honourable Minsiter,Mr. AHM Mustafa Kamal said: “Today was the successful inauguration of Inclusive Business in Bangladesh. With the help of the private sector, our growth in economy is bound to happen and Bangladesh will be an effective achiever of SDGs in the near future, possibly even before 2030.” Mr. Jamal Uddin presented the IB models under the project; while he also described the benefits and importance of such initiatives to bring sustainable change.

The event brought together leading partners in business, civil society, government, donors and other stakeholders to discuss critical challenges and innovative solutions in Inclusive Business.