The New Nation - Internet Edition

NATION BUSINESS REPORT

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC will provide US$ 6 million (in two phases within 2008-2013) for the Skills Development Project of the Government of Bangladesh, which will provide support to strengthen the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system in Bangladesh.

The objective of the project is to build up skilled and semi skilled human resources for economic and social development.

An agreement for the first phase (2008-2011) for a contribution of US$ 3.6 was signed between the Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and the Ambassador of Switzerland Dora Rapold at the ERD Conference Room in Dhaka on November 12.

The project will be implemented in urban and rural areas of 4 divisions--Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Khulna in partnership with industries and non-governmental agencies such as specialised skills training providers. The project is financed by the Government of Bangladesh, SDC and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and will be implemented the by the Directorate of Technical Education under the Ministry of Education of Bangladesh.

SDC, the international development agency of the Swiss Government, is currently focusing on two priority areas in Bangladesh - employment & income generation and local governance, with an annual budget of around US$ 20 million.

4th SAARC Psychiatric Federation Concluding Ceremony of 4rth International Psychiatric Conference Concluding ceremony of 4th SAARC Psychiatric Federation & 4th International Psychiatric Conference held recently at Hotel Sheraton's Grand Ball Room. The ceremony featured a musical program.

Mr. Iftekharul Islam, Managing Director, Sanofi Aventis, delivered a speech on the occasion (seen in the picture).

Eminent artiste Fatema Tuz-Zohra and Sadi Mohammad captivated the audience with their melodious songs. Famous psychiatrists from in and abroad enjoyed the program that ended with a raffle draw and dinner. The program was jointly organised by Sanofi Aventis Bangladesh Ltd. and Bangladesh Association of Psychiatrists.