DHAKA, May 17, 2022 (BSS) - Speakers at a symposium today called for developing skills in 'Disaster Risk Management' for a sustainable economic development.

They made the call at the symposium on private sector participation and leadership in disaster risk management and launching of private sector emergency operation center (PEOC) held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the city, said a press release.

The event was jointly organized by SUPER project initiated jointly by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ActionAid Bangladesh, United Purpose and World Vision. SUPER project is funded by European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid.

The speakers observed that natural disasters can have a significant impact not only on the mass people and environment but also have a severe impact on the private sector.

Any disaster hampers supply chain, production and overall marketing of all businesses, they mentioned.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman was present as the chief guest.

Enamur Rahman said that for sustainable economic development, attracting investment and to face the risks of hazards, it is needed to improve the skills of disaster risks management.

Moreover, he said, it is not the job of public sector only rather private sector's engagement is very important.

South Asia's first private sector emergency operation centre has been established on the Dhaka Chamber premises and it will enhance skills of private sector in this area, he added.

He also informed that the ministry initiated a state of the art national emergency operation centre that will help create database and provide required assistance.

He also emphasized engaging young generation in research and innovation as well as using artificial intelligence to mitigate disaster risks.

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Rizwan Rahman, in his speech, said that disaster risk has far-reaching consequences from disasters.
 
Bangladesh has taken several policies to reduce disaster risks in the recent past, he added.

He said Bangladesh needs to prioritize disaster management across the private sector and the first ever private sector emergency operation centre has already been established in the Dhaka Chamber.

He urged for proven and institutional financing techniques to mitigate disaster risks and its consequences on businesses.

He said that government can ensure debt instruments- bond, grant and transfers, PPP based financing, securitization, blended financing and low cost bank borrowing under a refinancing scheme to transfer massive risks of affected businesses.

 Private sector engagement in disaster risk management can play critical roles towards achieving our long cherished economic vision, he added.

Ambassador of the Philippines in Dhaka Alan L Deniega said in disaster risk management, his country allocates five percent of their total budget and in 2018, Philippines established the first ever private sector emergency operation centre in the world.

He said that for capacity improvement in the disaster risk management both the public and private sector should come forward to work together.

Head of ECHO, Bangladesh Anna Orlandini said that for securing a sustainable future linkage between national disaster management system and private sector are very crucial.