Dr. Rashid Askari

Bangladesh has placed itself strategically by building strong relationships with bilateral and international development partners. In order to obtain foreign financial and technical assistance, these ties are essential.

Countries from across the globe, in North Atlantic, Europe, Asia, and Oceania are part of this network. The government of Bangladesh emphasises the need for strengthening these partnerships, even though there are myriad obstacles.

A number of partners have been extremely supportive of Bangladesh's development trajectory. Lots of other countries including the US, Canada, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the UK have been helpful with financial and technical support.

Assistance from the Nordic nations—Sweden, Norway, and Denmark—has been vital to a number of development programmes going on in Bangladesh that have sought to improve the country's social and economic conditions.

Middle Eastern countries such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have helped out with considerable economic cooperation, particularly with energy and infrastructure initiatives. These contributions have been vital for Bangladesh in addressing key development agenda items, such as increasing energy output and developing its infrastructure.

Asian countries such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia have become vital development partners. Many development projects and substantial investments in Bangladesh have received funding from India's Line of Credit agreements and China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Japan, the technological powerhouse of the world, provides financial support and expertise. South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia are helping to improve Bangladesh's industrial and technological landscape through investments and capacity-building activities.  Australia has also been an important partner in areas such as agriculture and education by way of financial assistance and technical know-how.

Taken as a whole, the foundation of Bangladesh's bilateral and multilateral developmental partnerships has been laid by these worldwide contributions.

  However, geopolitical factors sometimes prove enormous obstacles in the way of promoting these relations. The allies are not immune to the risks posed by shifting diplomatic priorities, global economic fluctuations, and regional conflicts. Notwithstanding these challenges, Bangladesh has shown remarkable courage and initiative in tackling them in right earnest.

Increasing ties with all development partners are a top priority for the present government of Bangladesh. They can achieve this through international strategies and policy endeavours that strive to earn mutual trust. The government is using diplomatic channels and high-level visits to reassure its allies that Bangladesh will make every earnest effort to maintain strong and cooperative relationships.

Efforts to diversify development partnerships are among the most important initiatives put out. By including a diverse group of nations in its network of partners, Bangladesh hopes to reduce its reliance on any one ally, and minimise the impact of any geopolitical tensions.

This comprehensive strategy allows the country to make better use of its diverse set of skills and economic resources. The government can obtain substantial financial and technical assistance through strategic alliances with multilateral organisations including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank, and the United Nations Organizations.

Cooperation can be enhanced by actively engaging with these agencies, taking part in their projects, and aligning national development priorities with their strategic aims.

Regional cooperation frameworks such as SAARC and BIMSTEC create additional opportunities for Bangladesh to get involved. In addition to increasing the flow of global support, these platforms can open doors to funding and collaborative ventures. Furthermore, when it comes to using foreign assistance, Bangladesh is quite sincere about being open, transparent and accountable.

It helps to win the trust of its development partners by ensuring that their sponsored projects are carried out desirably.  With this end in view, steps such as conducting regular inspections, providing transparent reports, and consulting with stakeholders are taken.  Creating a climate attracting foreign aid requires strong leadership and the rule of law.

Bangladesh can improve its judicial independence, governance frameworks, and corruption levels. In order to persuade development partners that their support would be used effectively and ethically, transparent and accountable governance is essential.

Bangladesh can become an even more appealing place for assistance and investment if its political climate is made more stable. To keep development projects in place, it is important for political parties, in power and opposition, to reach a consensus on the important development agenda.

Bangladesh makes an effort to align its development objectives with those of its allies. It fosters an atmosphere of cooperation, favourable to long-term relationships, by setting shared goals. One area where this is clearly seen is climate change, which has gathered tremendous global support for resilience in light of Bangladesh's vulnerability to severe disasters.

Furthermore, international partners might be courted by ensuring that national development plans are made in keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Many development partners are keener on providing funds for programmes that help achieve the SDGs. Bangladesh may demonstrate its willingness to honour the SDG pledges. 

The government, civil society, and commercial sector may be able to work together, if the government establishes multi-stakeholder platforms on SDG implementation. In order to increase the overall impact of development projects and attract future support, these platforms can help ease sharing resources, knowledge, and best practices.

Bangladeshi diaspora can also play a key role in the nation's progress by way of strengthening partnership. Bangladesh can improve its development initiatives and solicit foreign support by tapping into the diaspora's networks and resources. Formal routes of engagement with the diaspora can mobilize investment, technical knowledge, and remittances.

Investment forums, advisory councils, and networks for sharing information are all ways in which Bangladesh might bring its diaspora together. Expatriates' sense of ownership and commitment to national development can be enhanced by diaspora engagement.

 The government underlines the need of encouraging interpersonal interactions. In order to strengthen its relationships with development partners, Bangladesh engages in cultural exchanges, academic alliances, and collaborative research projects. These endeavours lay the foundation for enduring relationships and simultaneously improve mutual understanding.

The foundation of Bangladesh's development plan is laid in the country's relationship with its development partners.
Despite overwhelming geopolitical obstacles, the present government with Sheikh Hasina as the premier is devoted to enhancing these partnerships.

The country fosters its connections with development partners by being proactive and collaborative which leads to its sustained economic growth and socio-economic development. Strategic nimbleness and diplomatic vision are vital for international relations. And a nation's development path cannot progress without the backing and collaboration of these relations.
_____________________________________
The writer is an academic and former vice chancellor of Islamic University Kushtia