Norway and Denmark have shown interest in the development of the Chittagong Hills Tracts area, a CHT ministry press release said on Sunday.
Three Scandinavian diplomats – two from Denmark and one from Norway – held a meeting with Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma at his Chittagong Hill Tracts Heritage Preservation and Research Center office on Bailey Road in the city.
“Discussions focused on sustainable development and multidimensional cooperation in the hill tracts region. Adviser Supradip Chakma welcomed and appreciated the diplomats’ interest and ideas regarding development in the region,” reads the press release.
The three Scandinavian diplomats include Hakon Harald Gulbrandsen, ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh, Christian Brix Moller, ambassador of the Royal Danish Embassy and Olle Landin, second secretary and head of politics at the Danish Embassy to Bangladesh.
Supradip Chakma emphasised that quality education, improvement of local livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and modernisation of the agricultural sector are essential for sustainable development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
These initiatives, he noted, will play a vital role in energising the local economy and creating employment opportunities.
The CHT adviser said that the interim government is committed to democratic values and human rights and is working tirelessly to uphold them. He told the delegation that, under the directive of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, digital transformation of 100 schools in the hill tracts is underway with Starlink.
“Multimedia classrooms have already been introduced, and online activities in these schools are expected to be completed within the next 90 days,” said the press release.
Adviser underscored ongoing efforts to preserve the languages and scripts of various ethnic communities through the publication of language-based books at the primary school level, along with special training for local language teachers.
According to the press release, the diplomats touched on the PR and Bangladesh’s upcoming elections issues in the meeting. They shared their views on the UN Human Rights Office and assured full support to the government of Bangladesh in its democratic transition.
“Advisor Chakma assured them that relevant institutions are working to ensure free, fair, and participatory elections as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission,” said the press release.
In terms of the implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, the advisor acknowledged existing limitations but affirmed that collective efforts are underway to achieve full implementation.
The adviser welcomed the ambassadors’ interest in technology-driven agricultural development, eco-friendly tourism, and the potential of the nursing sector in the region pointing out that coffee and cashew cultivation could significantly contribute to the region’s economic growth.
