Infrastructure, Urbanization, Local & Rural Development

The institutional strategy that combines the dual goals of strengthening participatory development at the local level and building local governments as key vehicles of local democracy and service-delivery has been a recurring theme in the development philosophies around the world.

The constitution of Bangladesh underscores the importance of local governance. It has an outline of a local govt. system with elected representatives facilitating effective participation of the people for each unit of administration.

The government is committed to establish strong local government institutions at various level through active participation of the elected representatives in the administration as well as development activities. Local Government Division (LGD) is implementing various development and service-oriented activities for poverty alleviation and to make the rural people’s life more comfortable, sound and meaningful. Activities of LGD are extended up to the grass- root level of the country.

Another important aim of strengthening the local government is rural Development to move upward with new achievement (of Bangladesh) as Middle Income Status that are as resonant at the grass-root level as at national level. Consequent to such changes, new agendas such as local economic development are entering the purview of the local government mission. The overall rural development can contribute to the economic development of the country.

ASCEND International Limited has specific focus on this area and is already working on projects.