Annual Report: Feed the Future Bangladesh Improving Trade and Business Enabling Environment

The activity provides technical assistance, training, institutional strengthening, and other direct support to the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) and non-governmental partners. FtF-BITBEE promotes greater collaboration among the government, private sector, and civil society organizations, including social organizations, research centers, and universities. The activity operates through two integrated Objectives: Objective 1, Improved Trade Facilitation (TF), and Objective 2, Improved Business Enabling Environment (BEE). Objective 1 aims to implement the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), build capacity of government officials, and improve food safety procedures. Objective 2 focuses on streamlining and simplifying processes related to the World Bank doing Business indicators and digitizing government services to ease business operations and make services more transparent and accessible to both men and women. During the reporting period, operational and technical startup commenced in late November and early December 2019. Most staff were onboarded, and the identified office space became fully operational by mid-January 2020. Key milestones achieved during the reporting period include the completion and approval of the Annual Work Plan, Quarter 2 (Q2) and Quarter 3 (Q3) reports, Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Plan, Branding and Marketing Plan, Quality Assurance and Surveillance Plan (QASP), Emergency Action Plan, and Initial Environmental Examination. Research and analysis were completed in key areas to establish the current situation and provide recommendations for change and development. Implementation activities commenced in January 2020 through September 2020 in accordance with the project work plan. Specific tasks were completed as requested, including the establishment of the current situation and provision of recommendations for change and development. The activity has made significant progress in achieving its objectives. Key achievements include the completion of research and analysis in key areas, the commencement of implementation activities, and the completion of key project documents. The activity has also established a strong foundation for future work, including the development of a comprehensive work plan and the establishment of a robust monitoring and evaluation system. The activity has also made progress in promoting greater collaboration among the government, private sector, and civil society organizations. Key achievements include the establishment of partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Government of Bangladesh and non-governmental partners. The activity has also facilitated dialogue and coordination among stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society organizations, and research centers. The activity has also made progress in improving trade facilitation and business enabling environment. Key achievements include the implementation of the WTO TFA, the capacity building of government officials, and the improvement of food safety procedures. The activity has also made progress in streamlining and simplifying processes related to the World Bank doing Business indicators and digitizing government services to ease business operations and make services more transparent and accessible to both men and women. Overall, the activity has made significant progress in achieving its objectives and has established a strong foundation for future work. The activity continues to promote greater collaboration among the government, private sector, and civil society organizations and has made progress in improving trade facilitation and business enabling environment.