The Australian High Commission Bangladesh has announced a call for proposals to support COVID-19 economic recovery in Bangladesh under the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP).
The BPP is a flagship initiative of the Australian government. It supports partnerships with businesses to deliver sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction, while also ensuring commercial returns for business.
“Businesses will play an important role in building back better from COVID-19. In Bangladesh, this opportunity for businesses to partner with the Australian Government will help build livelihood opportunities, enhance gender equality, and support resilient economic recovery,” said Jeremy Bruer, Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh in a statement.
The BPP can co-finance with businesses to support COVID-19 economic recovery by establishing partnerships which contribute to digitalisation and ICT, skills development for workers and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, economic opportunities for women, or green recovery.
In Bangladesh, Australia is seeking partnerships in agriculture and agricultural technology; banking/financial inclusion; clean energy and energy efficiency and textiles and manufacturing sectors.
Businesses can apply individually or in a consortium. The Australian government will provide matched funding of up to AUD 500,000 to successful business initiatives.
Businesses with a commercial idea that could make a lasting social impact are encouraged to contact the Australian High Commission Bangladesh or visit: www.thebpp.com.au for further information.
Applications are due November 4.
To participate in an information session, the High Commission also keeps a provision to register online at https://thebpp.com.au/call-forpartnerships/regional-call-for-partnerships/.
Interested individuals can also write to Australian High Commission Bangladesh ahc.dhaka@dfat.gov.au and Canberra, Australia: Corinne Roberts, Communications Manager, the Business Partnerships Platform corinne.roberts@thebpp.com.au for further details.
Bangladesh and Australia enjoy good relations for long. Australia was among the first countries to recognise Bangladesh after it achieved independence in 1971.
Shortly after in 1972, Australia established the resident mission in Dhaka. The two countries also hold regular senior official talks.
During the Covid-19, Australia also stood by Bangladesh.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) joined hands with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist the government of Bangladesh to fight COVID-19.
With that support, UNDP provided 5000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the cleaning workers of four city corporations – Dhaka South, Norrth, Chattogram and Narayanaganj.
With support from the Australian government, UNDP also provided technological support to the government for expanding social support through a2i programme.
In addition, 20,000 poor people received cash or in-kind support delivered through UNDP’s existing projects in Chittagong Hill Tracts, North Bengal and Coastal region.
Australia has been working with UNDP since 2011 to support the government of Bangladesh develop and implement its national social security strategy.
The strategy aims to build an inclusive social security system to help address poverty and inequality, High Commissioner Bruer, earlier, said.
“This work is even more important as we work together with Bangladesh to respond to COVID-19,” he had said.
