Press Release: Oxfam in Bangladesh has a rich history of engaging with the private sector, to empower the marginalized and the vulnerable population and unlock their potential. In the coming days, Oxfam through the SHEKOR platform envisions to strengthen ties with various private sector stakeholders to support the country’s social and economic growth which Oxfam has been a part of since the independence of Bangladesh.

SHEKOR is a private sector networking platform from Oxfam in Bangladesh for connecting entrepreneurs, as well as implementing new innovative initiatives by bringing diversified private sector groups under one umbrella for a more collaborative and impactful approach to uplift the disenfranchised. SHEKOR’s members range from corporates, banks, financial institutions, investors, e-commerce associations, and academia along with government, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies.

To ensure this platform is sustainable both Oxfam and DYDF have arranged several workshops with private sector stakeholders to design a constitution and an incentive-driven platform that will ensure that the platform drives a systematic change in the ecosystem and can act as a role model for new such platforms in the coming days.

Considering Oxfam’s dimensions of work with private sectors, government, and other partners this platform would not only act as a means to network entrepreneurs from Oxfam and other relevant organizations but also act as a space to engage with private sector stakeholders on issues such as influencing and advocacy, ICT development for the marginalized community, mobilizing alternative impact funds, climate finance, interoperable digital platform, youth development, women’s social and economic leadership, etc. Oxfam hopes to leverage the success of this platform to encourage other likeminded initiatives to come to the front and create their own stories of success.

On 28th August 2022; the platform ‘SHEKOR’ was launched through a festive event at the Pearl Hotel, Banani. Honorable State Minister of LGRD Ministry Mr. Swapan Bhattacharya MP joined as the Chief Guest, the event chaired by Country Director of Oxfam in Bangladesh Mr. Ashish Damle. Mrs. Adiba Anjum Mita MP, Mr. Julian Francis – pioneer of Oxfam in Bangladesh joined the event as the special guests along with the delegates from various institutions from diversified sectors. Mr. Amiya Prapan Chakra Borty Arka who is the CEO of DYDF and Mr. Abrar Shahriyar Mridha who leads the Enterprise Development & Investment programs from Oxfam in Bangladesh welcomed the participants and shared the objectives, plans, structure, and committee of the platform.

An executive committee has been formed which will be led by Mr. Rezwanul Haque Jami, President and Nasima Akter Nisha, Vice President along with other committee members representing entrepreneurs, investors, banks, financial institutions, development sector, youth organizations, etc.

The Honorable State Minister praised the initiative shown by Oxfam and DYDF through launching SHEKOR and committed to provide every possible support to the platform.