Sweden Reaffirms Strong Partnership with Bangladesh

Dr. Jakob Granit, Director-General of Sweden's International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), has reaffirmed Sweden's long-standing commitment to Bangladesh, emphasizing the vital role of development cooperation in the face of global challenges. Addressing issues ranging from climate change to economic development, Dr. Granit highlighted Sweden's strategic focus on fostering resilience and sustainable growth in Bangladesh.

“Building resilience is essential for long-term progress,” Dr. Granit stated. “This involves strengthening climate adaptation through knowledge sharing, enhancing infrastructure, and promoting the sustainable use of resources like water, energy, and land. Additionally, fostering an enabling environment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and businesses is crucial for sustainable development.”

Sida remains dedicated to supporting Bangladesh in critical areas such as democracy, human rights, the rule of law, gender equality, climate adaptation, environmental protection, health, and inclusive economic development. Dr. Granit’s remarks came at the conclusion of his official visit to Bangladesh, accompanied by Sida's senior management team and a representative from Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During his visit, the delegation held productive discussions with key government figures, including Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus and Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. These meetings highlighted Sweden’s ongoing support for the interim government’s reforms and collaboration on addressing the humanitarian challenges posed by the Rohingya crisis.

One of the notable moments of the visit was Dr. Yunus’ suggestion that Sweden shift its approach from grant-based assistance to investing in social businesses, which he believes could offer more sustainable solutions for development.

The delegation also engaged with civil society, youth organizations, national and international development partners, and private sector stakeholders to gain insights into Bangladesh’s reform agenda and future development priorities.

In Gazipur, the delegation witnessed efforts to improve water resource management, while in Belai Beel, they observed Sweden-funded initiatives that help protect critical wetland areas from illegal encroachment, supported by organizations like the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA).

In Bangla Bazar, Sida’s delegation explored Sweden-funded projects on groundwater monitoring, implemented by UNICEF, Dhaka University, and the Local Government Division. They also visited IRIS Fabrics Ltd., a key partner in Sweden’s PROGRESS project, which is helping the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector improve sustainability by reducing carbon emissions, recycling wastewater, and training workers in green skills.

Sweden’s commitment to a sustainable and competitive RMG sector is critical, as the industry is Bangladesh's largest formal employer of women. Through the PROGRESS project, Swedish support is helping RMG factories comply with global sustainability standards, ensuring long-term industry viability.

The delegation also met with officials from the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh, the Asian Development Bank, and the Ministry of Finance’s External Relations Division (ERD) to discuss trade and investment priorities. Dr. Granit expressed Sweden’s eagerness to help Bangladesh qualify for EU trade preferences as it graduates from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status, while optimizing synergies between exports of priority products and imports of green technologies.

“Bangladesh is making significant strides in reform and development,” Dr. Granit remarked. “We look forward to building a broader, more dynamic partnership with Bangladesh, particularly in trade, climate resilience, and economic growth.”

In addition to bilateral cooperation, the delegation learned about Sweden’s “Sustainable Fashion Platform,” a new initiative aimed at aligning major Swedish brands like H&M, IKEA, and Lindex with key stakeholders in Bangladesh’s textile and garment industries. This platform promotes fair business practices, climate-smart technologies, and sustainable development solutions within the sector.

During the visit, Dr. Granit was also the chief guest at the launch of the Initiative to Stimulate Private Investment for Resource Efficiency (InSPIRE) Project. The initiative aims to support the RMG sector by incentivizing energy efficiency and promoting sustainable practices through technical assistance, training, and grants.

With Sweden's continued focus on supporting Bangladesh's sustainable development and resilience in the face of global challenges, the partnership between the two nations is poised for even greater collaboration in the coming years.