The next stage of Bangladesh's development requires Bangladesh to facilitate diversification of manufacturing and the export base and prepare young people to enter the job market for the jobs of tomorrow. Australia's partners in the skills development sector include innovative and inclusive training providers with a strong track record of putting people into employment. Our partnerships with the local organisations BRAC and the Underprivileged Children's Education Programme (UCEP) will play a key role, especially in skills training, employment generation and policy influence on national systems.
Australia will look for opportunities to support the international financial institutions advising and assisting Bangladesh on reforms needed to help it navigate the transitions of the next few years and avoid a middle-income trap. This includes initiatives aimed at strengthening the financial sector, increasing private sector investment in the energy sector and supporting the National Board of Revenue to improve tax revenue collection.
Opportunities will arise for a closer economic relationship between Australia and Bangladesh, requiring government-to-government support (such as technical assistance on issues such as standards and biosecurity) and business-to-business support (such as market analysis, trade missions and business conferences). Australia will support these activities with greater earmarked resourcing for the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and Austrade.
Australia Awards will be used for professional training to respond flexibly to Bangladesh's increasing human capacity development needs.
Australia and Bangladesh will jointly design a new skills and vocational training program, drawing on the experience and expertise in the Australian Department of Education. This might include private sector approaches supported by Austrade.
We will continue to work with UNDP on the Institutional Strengthening for Promoting Accountability and Transparency project and aim to build the institutional capabilities of the NGO Affairs Bureau. The NGO Affairs Bureau is a Bangladeshi government agency that regulates NGOs who receive foreign donations. NGOs serve as an important channel for the delivery of Australian development assistance in Bangladesh, and this investment aims to bring about improved governance in this area.
We will aim to ensure that locally generated ideas are disseminated, and internal relationships fostered so that the best ideas emerge into policy.
Bangladesh Economic Engagement Program (BEEP)
$8.3 million, 2023 to 2028
The Bangladesh Economic Engagement Program (BEEP) Fund is a five-year program supporting Bangladesh's economic stability and resilience. Through partnerships with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank, BEEP aims to strengthen economic policy frameworks and institutional capacity to help Bangladesh achieve its ambition of becoming an upper-middle-income country. Through its collaboration with IFC, the program promotes inclusive and sustainable private investment, while its partnership with the World Bank drives macroeconomic reforms—enhancing domestic revenue mobilization, boosting trade and foreign direct investment (FDI), improving the financial sector, and mobilising climate finance to support long-term development.
Institutional Strengthening for Promoting Accountability and Transparency (ISPAT)
$2.95 million, 2024 to 2027
Australia is supporting the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the ISPAT project to strengthen the institutional capacity of the NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB), the key regulator of foreign-funded NGOs in Bangladesh. The project focuses on improving service delivery through staff training, digital infrastructure upgrades, and policy support. ISPAT aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in NGOAB's operations by driving digital transformation, building capacity, and streamlining sectoral policies in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh.
Technical Assistance through the United Nations in Bangladesh
$3.15 million, 2025 to 2028
Australia is providing technical assistance through the UN to help promote equitable governance and strengthened institutions in Bangladesh. Australian funded specialist positions in the UN Resident Coordinator's office and at UN Women are supporting Bangladesh's ability to deliver effective, inclusive, and sustainable development outcomes, that align with Australia's strategic development objectives in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, through the UNDP supported BALLOT project, Australia is contributing to enhanced electoral transparency and accountability in Bangladesh.
Australia Awards
Australia Awards are prestigious, transformational scholarships, fellowships and short courses offered to emerging leaders from developing countries for study, research and professional development in Australia and the region so they can return home and contribute to their nations' development, prosperity and resilience. Australia Awards contribute to the long-term objectives of promoting growth and stability in our region, as well as strengthening links between people and organisations to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation.