Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday stressed the need for a strong and institutionalised partnership among NGOs, the private sector and the government to address development challenges and ensure sustainable financing.

He also called for time-bound measures to create a sustainable financing framework for NGOs.

The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Beyond Foreign Dependency: The Future of NGO Financing in Bangladesh” at Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS).

He said the government is working to address crises emerging in the country and ensure accountability.

“We do not want merely to listen; we want to provide effective responses,” he said.

Khosru said an integrated framework is needed for human development, preservation of local culture and greater participation of the private sector.

He said NGOs and other stakeholders are already working in various areas, including the creative economy, but such cooperation needs to be given a more institutional and policy-based shape.

Emphasising the importance of strong institutional partnerships among NGOs, the private sector and the government, the minister said NGOs play a vital role in taking government services directly to people at the grassroots.

He urged the authorities to formulate and implement policies within specific timeframes to facilitate sustainable financing for NGOs.

Referring to traditional local crafts such as Shital Pati, Khosru said Bangladesh needs to promote modern designs, value addition and marketing to take such traditional products to international markets.

The minister also stressed ensuring four conditions when approving development projects: value for money, returns against investment, employment or entrepreneurship generation, and environmental considerations and protection.

“No project will be approved if these four conditions are not met,” he said.