Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan has said there is no alternative to building a strong local government system to institutionalise democracy and ensure public participation and accountability.
He noted that if the foundation of democracy is not strong at the grassroots level, it is not possible to strengthen the overall democratic framework of the state.
Moyeen stressed this on Sunday during a courtesy call at the Secretariat with the Ambassador of Switzerland appointed to Bangladesh Reto Renggli. State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam was present at the meeting.
During the meeting, the minister said in a densely populated country like Bangladesh, a strong and effective local government system carries special importance in delivering government services to the doorsteps of the people.
He highlighted the need to transform the country’s vast population into a skilled workforce, alongside boosting the financial capacity of local government institutions.
Moyeen said genuine decentralisation must be ensured to effectively strengthen local government.
He added that local government institutions can be made more effective by expanding public participation and decision-making opportunities at the local level. At the same time, he mentioned that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is committed to holding free, fair, and neutral local government elections.
The meeting covered various issues, including further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, reinforcing democracy and the local government system, the local government election process, increasing rural women’s participation in economic activities, and addressing the impacts of climate change.
Swiss Ambassador Reto Renggli noted the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Switzerland and expressed interest in expanding cooperation across various fields.
He placed importance on capacity building for local government institutions, enhancing accountability to the public, and exchanging mutual experiences in areas such as women’s empowerment.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Shahe Alam said that discussions focused on various aspects of further strengthening democracy institutionally alongside reinforcing the local government system.
Emphasis was placed on increasing the financial capacity of local government institutions, decentralisation, and enhancing public participation at the local level.
He noted that scope exists for cooperation between Bangladesh and Switzerland in involving women further in the rural economy, confronting climate change challenges, and sharing experiences regarding local government elections.
He expressed hope that cooperation and the exchange of experiences in these areas will make the relationship between the two countries deeper and more effective.
Secretary of the Local Government Division Md Shahidul Hassan and senior officials of the ministry were also present at the meeting.
