Cox鈥檚 Bazar municipality hosted a regional campaign and training programme titled Local Economic Development and Sustainable Tourism Growth, aimed at strengthening the local economy, promoting sustainable tourism and fostering stronger public鈥損rivate collaboration, in the district on Saturday.
The event was inaugurated by Md Rezaul Maqsud Jahedi, secretary, Local Government Division, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, as chief guest, said a press release.
More than 200 participants attended, including representatives from Cox鈥檚 Bazar municipality, Maheskhali, Teknaf and Chakaria鈥攁long with private-sector leaders, women entrepreneurs, youth, and media representatives.
The programme was presided over by Shamim Al Imran, administrator of Cox鈥檚 Bazar municipality and deputy director, LGD.
Special guests included Mahmudul Hasan, director general, monitoring, inspection and evaluation wing, LGD; ABM Shawkat Iqbal Shaheen, director general, IMED; Monira Begum, additional secretary, GED, Planning Commission; Roksana Tarannum, joint secretary, Economic Relations Division; Helal Hussain, country director, Swisscontact Bangladesh.
The welcome remarks were delivered by Parvez Mohammad Asheque, team leader of Prabriddhi, followed by an in-depth presentation of the LED model and achievements of Prabriddhi by Wahedur Rahman, project director and joint secretary, LGD.
Following the seminar, a two-day LED training programme began, engaging municipal officials and private-sector representatives in practical sessions on identifying local challenges, mapping economic opportunities, and designing Local Economic Development plans.