(BSS) - Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, convenor of the Citizen`s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, today called for creating a favourable business environment for the private sector to adopt a sustainable business model.

"To establish a sustainable business model more effectively, Bangladesh`s investment climate must be improved, and government officials need to provide support in this regard," he said.

The economist said this in a discussion on "National SDG Report (VNR) 2025: Perspective of Business Leaders" at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) in the city.

As part of the preparation process for the National SDG Report (VNR) 2025, Citizen`s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, the Office of the Principal Coordinator for SDG Affairs at the Chief Adviser`s Office, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh jointly organised the consultation.

Md. Fazlul Haque, Former President of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA); Shahamin Zaman, Executive Director of the Global Compact Network Bangladesh; and Asif Ibrahim, Core Group Member of Citizen`s Platform and Vice-Chairman of New Age Group of Industries, delivered panel presentations on responsible production and consumption, corporate social responsibility, and financing to achieve the SDGs, respectively.

Shihab Quader, Director General (SDG Affairs) at the Chief Adviser`s Office and Anowarul Haq, Assistant Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh also spoke on the occasion.

The discussion was moderated by Professor Mustafizur Rahman, Core Group Member of Citizen`s Platform and Distinguished Fellow at CPD.

In his speech, Debapriya Bhattacharya, also a distinguished fellow of the CPD, said supported by the government, the entrepreneurs also have to be aligned with the sustainability mission.

He also emphasised the proper role of trade bodies that were politicized during the previous government.

For a national success in sustainability, he stressed three factors together- investment, mapping and monitoring and policy alignment.