The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Country Director, Mr Kim Taeyoung, held a pivotal meeting with the Secretary of the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division (RDCD), Mr Md Nazrul Islam, on Thursday to discuss the launch of a transformative new signature project aimed at bolstering rural development and fostering sustainable growth in Bangladesh.
The meeting, held at the office of the RDCD Secretary, centered on the conceptualization and planning of a high-impact initiative designed to address critical challenges in rural areas, including good governance, livelihood enhancement and community resilience.
This upcoming project underscores the longstanding partnership between KOICA and Bangladesh and their shared vision for achieving sustainable rural development.
The KOICA Country Director expressed enthusiasm about the potential of the project, saying: “This new signature project represents a milestone in our partnership with Bangladesh. It reflects KOICA’s commitment to supporting holistic rural development, building resilience and improving the quality of life for rural communities.”
The Secretary of RDCD lauded KOICA’s consistent contributions to Bangladesh’s development journey, said: “We value KOICA’s expertise and support in shaping impactful programs. This new initiative will undoubtedly play a vital role in advancing sustainable development and empowering our rural communities.”
The Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) proposed the project “Strengthening the Capacity to Carry out Sustainable Rural Development,” which is designed to enhance capacity-building, introduce innovative practices and promote inclusive growth in rural communities.
The new signature project is expected to execute (K-Cumilla) the Korean experience of rural development—Saemaul Undong Plus and the Comilla Model of rural development.
It will focus on areas such as good governance, leveraging innovative solutions to enhance agricultural productivity, improving rural education and women’s empowerment, aiming to create a long-lasting impact on the socio-economic fabric of the region.
Both sides emphasized the importance of aligning the project with Bangladesh’s national development priorities, including Vision 2041 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while also integrating climate adaptation strategies to ensure long-term impact.
KOICA and RDCD reaffirmed their commitment to fostering participatory and inclusive development.
They agreed to engage local stakeholders to ensure the project addresses community-specific needs and maximizes benefits for marginalized groups.
