SDC has a substantial programme in Bangladesh with an aim to achieve an effective and sustainable poverty reduction in this country. During the last few years' work, SDC felt that Bangladesh has made huge progress in the previous few decades, notably in population control, food security, child mortality, malnutrition and access to education. However, poverty reduction remains a major challenge.

The SDC Cooperation Strategy Bangladesh 2008-2012 addresses two major challenges: governance and the increasing gap between rich and poor which implies a growing number of extreme poor in the country.

The Cooperation Strategy focuses on the two thematic areas

§         Employment and Income Generation

§         Local Governance

Both thematic areas and the lines of action are aligned with the Bangladesh Government's Poverty Reduction Strategy. Disaster Risk Reduction is also incorporated in the Cooperation Strategy as a special theme. In addition to support of national level projects, the programme has a geographic focus in two low-income and under-served rural areas, i.e. Rajshahi & Sunamganj. In general, SDC is guided by the terms of the Paris Declaration to secure ownership for the joint endeavors among the national partners and to achieve a well coordinated, efficient cooperation with other donor agencies. Cooperation with other bi- and multilateral (likeminded) donors is an important way for becoming involved in the policy dialogue and for scaling up successful approaches.

Download Cooperation Strategy Bangladesh 2008-2012