IMPLEMENTATION OF SDGS LINKED TO BUSINESS : Pvt sector financing, energy key challenges: experts

Experts at a seminar on Saturday said private sector financing, supply of power and gas and skill development for the industrial sector were challenges for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.
They said that action plan and coordinated efforts from the government, private sector, non-government organisations and civil society were needed to achieve the SDGs.
The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised the seminar titled ‘Transition from MDG to SDG: Prospects and Challenges to Industries and Business’ at the DCCI auditorium in the capital.
In the Sustainable Development Summit in September the United Nations set SDGs which include 17 points to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030.
The SDGs build on the eight anti-poverty targets of the Millennium Development Goals that the world adopted in 2000 and committed to achieving by 2015.
‘Attaining the SDGs would be difficult under the current social structure and values as Bangladesh faces a growing number of diverse environmental challenges,’ Ahsan H Mansur, executive director of the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh, said in the keynote paper at the seminar.
One of the goals of the SDGs —promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all — is very much important for Bangladesh and the readymade garment sector has started work to ensure safe and decent workplace, he said.
‘One of the major challenges for the industries to meet is the SDG 7 which says to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy, as we are running out of gas,’ Mansur said.
The SDG 13 is getting much more attention in the globe, which is for taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Mansur said, ‘The environmental issue is very much important as we are already destroying our environment.’
He, however, thought that the SDGs would be an opportunity for Bangladesh to promote industrial growth that can spearhead the economy of the country.
He said energy outlook for Bangladesh and plan for reliance on coal in future would be major challenges for the country.
Adequate financing is crucial for the SDG roadmap and the goals entail massive investment in human development, social protection, infrastructure, industrialisation and environment, he said.
He observed that following successful implementation of the MDGs, implementation of national SDG agenda with the support of an active private sector can elevate the status of Bangladesh in the globe.
DCCI president Hossain Khaled stressed infrastructure development, power and energy security, skill development, technology adaptation, policy framework, long-term strategy for attaining SDGs.
‘Out of the 17 SDGs, seven are directly linked with business.’
He called upon stakeholders concerned to establish a ‘National Implementation Forum’ which will be a single platform consisting of public and private sector representatives along with all stakeholders for monitoring implementation process of SDG initiatives.
Palash Kanti Das, assistant country director of the UNDP-Bangladesh, said the 7th Five-Year Plan coincides with the SDGs in many ways.
He stressed framing an action plan prioritising the goals to achieve the SDGs and called upon the private sector to work with the public sector.
Khan Ahmed Sayeed Murshid, director general of the Bangladesh Institute Development Studies, said to achieve the SDGs, quality education, rule of law and agriculture development were some key priorities to look into.
He also sought for policy framework for using natural resources.
Former DCCI president Asif Ibrahim sought investment in infrastructure development under public private partnership initiative.
He urged the government to stimulate SME entrepreneurship and promote the small businesses with adequate financing.
State minister for finance and planning MA Mannan said to achieve the SDGs the government has established a connection between the rural and urban communities.
In the MDGs, Bangladesh has done well, and if all the sectors work collectively, the SDGs would also be achieved, he said.

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