Prabriddhi project supports led training and expo in Bhairab

Bhairab Municipality has hosted a two-day Regional Campaign on Local Economic Development (LED) at the Upazila Parishad Field, Bhairab, featuring a seminar on municipal initiatives and the footwear sector, an expo showcasing women entrepreneurs, youth engagement activities, and a two-day LED training supported by the PRABRIDDHI project.

The training workshop brought together 70 municipal officials and private sector representatives from eight municipalities — Kishoreganj, Bajitpur, Katiadi, Kuliarchar, Nabinagar, Narsingdi, Brahmanbaria, and Ashuganj — to promote public–private dialogue for competitiveness, innovation, and inclusive local growth.

The campaign and training were supported by PRABRIDDHI, a local economic development project jointly funded by the Governments of Bangladesh and Switzerland, and implemented by the Local Government Division (LGD) and Swisscontact Bangladesh.

The event was graced by Jiban Krishna Saha Roy, director general of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), as the chief guest. Special guests included Mohammad Nahid Hasan Khan, Deputy Director of the LGD and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kishoreganj; Daniel Valenghi, Regional Adviser for Inclusive Economic Development and Private Sector Engagement at the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh; and Parvez Mohammad Asheque, Team Leader of the Swisscontact PRABRIDDHI project.

More than 300 participants, including government officials, business representatives, women entrepreneurs, journalists, and students, attended the event. Welcome remarks were delivered by Md Faruk, Executive Officer of Bhairab Municipality.

The seminar featured presentations on the LED model, municipal initiatives, and local success stories. Speakers highlighted strategies for fostering collaboration between public and private actors. Md Al Amin Miah, president of the Bhairab Footwear Factory Owners' Cooperative Association; Nur Azam, director and CSO of ARITS Ltd; and Mohammad Babul Hossain, project manager of POPI, presented on the footwear sector's growth potential under the PRABRIDDHI project.

Several locally developed machinery prototypes, including a hydraulic sewing arm cutting machine, a leather skiving machine, and a roughing machine, were showcased. Developed under the supervision of the Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology (ILET), these affordable machines aim to modernise production, enhance quality, and strengthen the competitiveness of Bhairab's small and medium footwear enterprises.

Delivering his keynote, Jiban Krishna Saha Roy said, "Investment promotion is one of BIDA's key mandates. Alongside attracting foreign investors, we are working with development partners to encourage domestic investments. The PRABRIDDHI project bridges the gap between national reforms and local implementation. Without improving the business environment, sustainable local economic growth will remain out of reach."

Mohammad Nahid Hasan Khan said, "The objective of today's programme is to strengthen the local economy, advance the Sustainable Development Goals, and promote decentralisation. Knowledge sharing among stakeholders will help build an inclusive and sustainable development process."

In her closing remarks, Shabnam Sharmin, Administrator of Bhairab Municipality and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), underscored the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange in driving economic progress. She highlighted Bhairab's Paduka Shilpa (footwear industry) as a sector with strong national potential, adding that the LED project demonstrates how coordinated local and national efforts can ensure inclusive, eco-friendly development.

A day-long local product expo and student competitions drew over a thousand visitors. Women entrepreneurs and local business owners showcased their products, while residents accessed municipal services, including trade licence issuance, tax payments, and one-stop service facilities. The campaign concluded with cultural performances by local groups, creating a vibrant community celebration.