Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma. -File Photo

DHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma today stressed on global partnership in transforming the people living in the CHT region into skilled human resources aimed at improving their living standard.

The adviser made the remark when a four-member delegation from the International Labour Organization (ILO) led by its Country Director Max Tunon paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Bangladesh Secretariat here. 

During the meeting, they discussed wide range of issues including ensuring sustainable development, capacity building and making sure the global labour market standards in the CHT region.

The ILO delegation expressed their keen interest to work in the CHT region through the ProGRESS project funded by the Canadian government in women empowerment, enhancing technical and vocational skills and providing necessary support to foster new entrepreneurs for the economic development of the CHT people. 

The delegation specifically highlighted that the ILO aims to work towards the economic prosperity of local communities by tapping into the immense potential of the tourism sector in the hilly regions.

Welcoming the ILO representatives, the Adviser stated the present government is working tirelessly with the goal of improving the living standards and capacity building of the people in the CHT. 

Every development project is being implemented in compliance with international standards and labour laws, he added.

The Adviser further said that our core priority is not just infrastructural development but also building a skilled workforce, protecting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. 

If the ILO and other international organizations stand by us in this journey, a rapid socio-economic transformation of the CHT people is possible, he added.

The adviser thanked the ILO delegation for their assurance of cooperation in the government’s development efforts.

Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of CHT Affairs, Md. Monirul Islam, Additional Secretary and Atul Sarkar, Joint Secretary of the ministry were present during the meeting.

The ILO delegation included Pedro Jr. Bellen, Chief Technical Adviser of the ProGRESS project, Gunjan Dallakoti, Head of Programme at the ILO Country Office and Alexius Chicham, National Programme Officer of the ILO.