The Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) on Monday signed a Protocol of Cooperation reinforcing their common intent to work towards improvement of the quality of life of the people of Bangladesh.
The protocol was signed, in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, by Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni and His Highness Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims, founder and chairman of AKDN.
The agreement builds on an earlier accord and protocol, signed between the two parties in 1993, and establishes an enhanced framework for collaboration between the government and the agencies of AKDN in the areas of social, cultural and economic development.
AKDN has a historic presence in Bangladesh, working for over three decades in the field of early childhood development, pre-tertiary education and financial services.
Aga Khan Foundation and its partners have delivered early childhood education to over 30,000 children and parents in difficult-to-reach places including urban slums and disaster prone areas.
The Aga Khan School Dhaka, considered as one of the leading English medium schools in the country, offers international quality education to more than 1,200 students. The school, which employs over 100 teachers, all Bangladeshi nationals, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
AKDN is committed to enhancing substantially its investments in Bangladesh which include a new Aga Khan Academy, to be located on 20 acres in Bashundara, Dhaka, encompassing world class facilities and international standard education as part of a global network of eighteen academies.
Aga Khan School also planned to provide new facilities including Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) specialisations at the pre-tertiary level. Other areas that may be explored include healthcare and nursing education, poverty alleviation and investments in infrastructure and other sectors of high priority.
In the area of economic development, AKDN is a founding shareholder in Industrial Promotion and Development Company (IPDC), the first private, non-banking financial institution in Bangladesh, established in 1981, in partnership with the government. It remains an important catalyst for industrial development in the country. In addition, HBL Bank, majority owned by Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, has five branches in Bangladesh with plans for further expansion.
Earlier, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said Aga Khan has been supporting Bangladesh in poverty reduction and education sector.
He was talking with reporters after a meeting with prince Aga Khan at Hotel Sonargaon in the city.
Aga Khan is working with BRAC to reduce poverty in Bangladesh, he further said.
-With The Independent input
