Fostering partnerships in the Global South: The Bangladesh perspective | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Tuesday
June 10, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025
Fostering partnerships in the Global South: The Bangladesh perspective

Supplement

Dr Kazi Anowarul Hoque
23 January, 2025, 01:15 pm
Last modified: 23 January, 2025, 01:39 pm

Related News

  • Private sector on a bumpy ride
  • Strengthening public finance: How can CAG office become a game changer
  • Economic areas that require urgent care
  • Economic impact of $202m US-Bangladesh development agreement: Key reform priorities
  • Transforming Bangladesh's capital market: A visionary reform agenda

Fostering partnerships in the Global South: The Bangladesh perspective

Dr Kazi Anowarul Hoque
23 January, 2025, 01:15 pm
Last modified: 23 January, 2025, 01:39 pm
Photo: Collected
Photo: Collected

Over the past five decades, international development cooperation has undergone transformative changes. In response to the waning trends of Official Development Assistance (ODA), South-South Cooperation (SSC) has emerged as a key driver of sustainable development and resilience in the Global South.

The South-South Cooperation refers to the collaboration among countries of the Global South i.e. developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The South-South Cooperation has the key characteristics of being development oriented, mutually beneficial and having diverse areas of cooperation.

Compared to the North South Cooperation, it has some distinct principles such as respect for national sovereignty, non-conditionality, equality and mutual benefit, and voluntary nature of partnership. In addition to that, the SSC complements traditional North-South cooperation by prioritising mutual self-sufficiency and economic interdependence among developing countries aligned with global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the Nairobi Outcome Document on the South-South Cooperation reinforce its role in eradicating poverty and fostering sustainable development. Additionally, the SDG Goal 17 emphasises the critical role of the SSC and triangular cooperation in advancing the global development agenda.

Bangladesh with its strategic alignment to these goals has positioned the SSC as an essential tool to achieve SDG targets and shape its development trajectory as an emerging economy.

South-South Cooperation and Bangladesh: Achievements and potential

Since independence, Bangladesh has pursued a transformative socio-economic agenda that has been termed as outstanding compared to other developing countries. In some perspectives, the SSC has played a pivotal role to this journey, facilitating the mobilisation of resources, capacity building and technological advancement.

Social and economic progress:

Despite challenges like natural shocks, Bangladesh has excelled in areas such as poverty alleviation, maternal and child health, primary education and immunisation. The country has halved its poverty rate and achieved notable progress in human development, surpassing regional peers in key social indicators.

Resource mobilisation:

Bangladesh requires an estimated $6.23 trillion to meet its SDG targets. The government plans to mobilise 85% of these resources domestically with the remaining 15% sourced internationally. Non-traditional donors including China, India and Gulf countries have significantly contributed to financing key projects. Between 2001 and 2023, Bangladesh secured $2.16 billion from non-traditional donors, showcasing the increasing relevance of SSC in bridging financing gaps. 

SSC mobilities:

Bangladesh leverages SSC through –

  • Regional integration: Platforms like SAARC, BIMSTEC and APTA enhance trade, capacity building and market access. For instance, APTA provides tariff concessions while BIMSTEC ensures preferential treatment for least developed countries (LDCs).
  • Bilateral partnership: Trade relations with over 40 Southern countries have expanded exports with SSC partners contributing to diverse sectors like infrastructures, education and health.
  • Technical assistance: Bangladesh receives scholarships, training and technology transfers from countries like China, India and Malaysia. 

Bangladesh's contributions to SSC

Bangladesh's innovative solutions and best practices have been widely recognised and adopted by other Southern nations:

  • Microfinance and poverty alleviation: BRAC has replicated its successful models in countries across Asia and Africa, impacting millions. 
  • Peacekeeping missions: With contribution to 54 UN missions, Bangladesh leads globally in peacekeeping efforts.
  • Health innovation: Institutions like ICDDRB and government experts have supported countries like Haiti, South Africa and Timor-Leste in managing public health crises.
  • Digital transformation: The a2i programme under the "Digital Bangladesh" agenda has inspired similar initiatives in Maldives, Bhutan and beyond earning global accolades.

Challenges and the way forward

While SSC presents immense opportunities, Bangladesh faces several challenges:

  • Alignment with national priorities: Many SSC projects remain supply-driven with limited focus on critical areas like education and health.
  • Data and framework gaps: Absence of systematic data collection hampers effective management and decision-making.
  • Capacity building: Strengthening negotiating capabilities to optimise SSC tools and financial instruments is crucial
  • Economic transition: As Bangladesh graduates from LDC status, it must navigate the loss of trade preferences and explore alternative markets and financing options.

To address these challenges, Bangladesh should take plans to establish a South-South Knowledge and Innovation Centre. This initiative aims to foster technology sharing, co-create solutions for Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) challenges and build resilience through regional and global integration.

South-South Cooperation embodies Bangladesh's vision for inclusive and sustainable development. By leveraging its achievements and addressing challenges strategically, Bangladesh is well-positioned to lead SSC efforts globally ensuring a brighter future for the South.


Dr Kazi Anowarul Hoque. Sketch: TBS
Dr Kazi Anowarul Hoque. Sketch: TBS

The writer is the former additional secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD)

5 years of shaping tomorrow / Improving economic governance

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus leaves for a four-day visit to the United Kingdom from the Dhaka airport on 9 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    CA Yunus leaves for UK; discussion expected on renewable energy investment, laundered money
  • Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters
    Trump defends sending National Guard to LA as California governor to sue administration
  • California Governor Gavin Newsom. File Photo: REUTERS/Fred Greaves
    California Governor Newsom to sue Trump over National Guard deployment amid LA protests

MOST VIEWED

  • On left, Abdullah Hil Rakib, former senior vice president (SVP) of BGMEA and additional managing director of Team Group; on right, Captain Md Saifuzzaman (Guddu), a Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilot for Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Photos: Collected
    Ex-BGMEA SVP Abdullah Hil Rakib, Biman 787 pilot Saifuzzaman drown in boating accident in Canada
  • A photo showing the former president on his return to Dhaka today (9 June). 
Source: Collected
    Former president Abdul Hamid returns to Bangladesh from Thailand
  • File Photo: British MP Tulip Siddiq attends a news conference with Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of jailed British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, in London, Britain October 11, 2019. Photo: REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo
    Tulip requests CA Yunus for a meeting over corruption allegations: Guardian
  • Representational image. Photo: Reuters
    Bangladesh reports 3 more Covid-19 cases
  • Muhammad Yunus (L) and Narendra Modi. Photo: Collected
    Modi sends Eid-ul-Adha greetings, Yunus calls for continued bilateral cooperation
  • Photo: Reuters
    Trump says Musk relationship over, warns of 'serious consequences' if he funds Democrats

Related News

  • Private sector on a bumpy ride
  • Strengthening public finance: How can CAG office become a game changer
  • Economic areas that require urgent care
  • Economic impact of $202m US-Bangladesh development agreement: Key reform priorities
  • Transforming Bangladesh's capital market: A visionary reform agenda

Features

File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

17h | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

2d | Bangladesh
Illustration: TBS

Unbearable weight of the white coat: The mental health crisis in our medical colleges

5d | Panorama
(From left) Sadia Haque, Sylvana Quader Sinha and Tasfia Tasbin. Sketch: TBS

Meet the women driving Bangladesh’s startup revolution

5d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

US and China to meet in London for trade talks

US and China to meet in London for trade talks

6h | TBS World
The forbidden point on Cox's Bazar beach is like a death trap

The forbidden point on Cox's Bazar beach is like a death trap

8h | TBS Today
Israeli forces seize Gaza aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg

Israeli forces seize Gaza aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg

10h | TBS World
Which way will the anti-immigration campaign in Los Angeles turn?

Which way will the anti-immigration campaign in Los Angeles turn?

10h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net