Four leading business organisations and a private sector economic policy think- tank have launched a new platform to chart out and execute the recovery of the private sector dynamism.

The initiative ‘Resurgent Bangladesh’ began its journey on Tuesday in the context of Covid-19-led economic shocks, according to a statement.

The organisations that launched the new ventures are Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD), and Policy Exchange.

The initiative  seeks to help the overall economic recovery in Bangladesh by i)  systematic assessment of the impact on the private sector and develop recovery strategies from the Covid-19 pandemic for key economic themes; ii) providing organised, evidence-based, and actionable inputs/recommendations to government of Bangladesh for preparation of a national economic recovery strategy; iii) facilitating public-private dialogue on necessary government policy actions for stimulating private sector recovery, including input into the budgetary process; iv) enabling the voices of smaller and individual firms regarding their challenges arising from Covid- 19 and support required.

The platform will help stimulate resurgence of private sector dynamism by undertaking analytical, advocacy, and policy dialogue initially in seven particular economic themes --manufacturing, services, international trade/ export, SME, financial sector, private investment, and agriculture.

The work will be operated under the guidance of a  steering committee comprising Abul Kasem Khan (chairman, BUILD), Dr Masrur Reaz (chairman, Policy Exchange), Nihad Kabir (president, MCCI), Asif Ibrahim (chairman, CSE), Shams Mahmud(president, DCCI), and Syed Nasim Manzur (adviser, Leather Footwear and Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association).

Policy Exchange will work as the technical secretariat while Deloitte and several other international institutions will provide support as knowledge partners.