Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF), in collaboration with the ILO Country Office for Bangladesh and the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, organized a “Policy Dialogue on Future Skills to Employment Initiative” on 23 July 2025 at the Conference Hall, World Trade Center, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chattogram. The objective of the program was to accelerate the operationalization of this approach, ensure employer ownership, and understand current and future skills demand based on domestic and foreign investment portfolios and trends.

Mr. Wasfi Tamim, Private Sector Engagement Officer, ProGRESS Project, ILO, moderated the session. He began the session by outlining the objectives and expected outcomes to engage attendees throughout the dialogue session.

Mr. Muhammad Anwar Pasha, Administrator, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, chaired the inaugural session, extending a warm welcome to attendees and sharing the private sector’s views on Future Skills to Employment. Mr. Pedro Jr. Bellen, Chief Technical Advisor, ProGRESS Project, ILO Country Office, shared the objectives and outcomes of this dialogue, and a statement was given by Dr. K. M. Kabirul Islam, the Hon’ble Secretary, Technical and Madrasah Education Division (TMED). Employers from different industry sectors in the Chattogram region were actively taking part in the event. In addition, senior officials from TMED, DTE, BTEB, BITAC, and leading private organizations in Chattogram also attended.

A total of 56 participants (Female – 03, Male – 53) from 12 industry sectors, including Agriculture, Tourism, ICT, Real Estate, RMG, Steel, Shipbuilding, and Platform-Based Entrepreneurs participated in the program.