Bangladesh Private Investment & Digital Entrepreneurship Project

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The objective of the Private Investment and Digital Entrepreneurship Project for Bangladesh is to promote private investment, job creation, and environmental sustainability in participating economic zones and software technology parks in Bangladesh. The Project has four components. 1.Creating an Enabling Environment for Private Investment and Sustainability component will finance technical assistance, goods, training and recurrent expenditures. This component has the following subcomponents: 1.1. Promoting good governance and building core institutional capabilities subcomponent and 1.2. Structuring public-private partnerships subcomponent. 2. Developing a Greener and Climate Resilient Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN) component will support phased development according to the recently approved Master Plan for the BSMSN. 2.1. Basic infrastructure to implement the BSMSN Master Plan subcomponent will: (i) develop on-site infrastructure and last mile infrastructure in the BSMSN-2; and (ii) promote investments for resilient site upgrade and green building and infrastructure development; 2.2. Introducing sustainable and resilient services subcomponent will: (i) support the design and construction of climate smart and resilient shared facilities and services; (ii) carry out feasibility studies, technical advice and necessary construction; and (iii) strengthen capacity building and training. 3. Creating a Private Market for Serviced Industrial Land component will help catalyze the creation of a private market for serviced industrial land and help scale national green and resilient Economic Zone (EZ) guidelines to Private Economic Zones (PEZs). 3.1. Strengthen compliance mechanisms subcomponent will finance technical assistance to (i) review and revise the regulations and procedures pertaining to the licensing of PEZs; (ii) support capacity building measures; (iii) support compliance with good social and environmental practices. 3.2. Grant programs to encourage private investment in skills and green production subcomponent will finance: (i) the provision of grants for (a) the Voucher Program to build industry relevant skills formations for workers within the EZs; and (b) the Grant Program to promote the implementation of green EZ guidelines; and (ii) support for Grant/Voucher Program management. 4. Strengthening the Digital Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem component will strengthen the foundation of the digital entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in Bangladesh. 4.1 Establishing Dhaka’s first digital entrepreneurship hub in Janata Software Technology Parks (STP) subcomponent will: (i) recruit an experienced internationally recognized private operator for managing the expanded Janata STP; (ii) upgrade the facilities of Janata-1 STP; and (iii) build climate resilient Janata-2 STP with the construction of a new multistoried building. 4.2 Digital Entrepreneurship, training and innovation support program subcomponent will: (i) design and implement an Entrepreneurship Program with special emphasis on women digital entrepreneurs; (ii) design and implement a program to mentor, advise and train digital entrepreneurs for the Startup and Scale-up Facility within select STPs; (iii) establish University Innovation Hubs in technological universities and business schools; and (iv) finance the necessary civil works in support of the same.