SUPRO in WSF Nairobi

Sharing Seminar on FDI and Debt Cancellation for Bangladesh on 21st January' 07, Terrain 2

SUPRO is participating in WSF Nairobi; the team includes its Chairperson Abdul Awal, Secretary Rezaul, Executive Member Arifur, National Council member Sharifa and a Journalist Liton. They will have sharing on FDI and Debt Cancelletion from the perspective of Bangladesh on above schedules. All interested comrades are requested to communicate at abdulawalbd@yahoo.com, reza@coastbd.org, and international roaming mobile +8801711529792, + 8801711722650. SUPRO has taken following position paper / case studies for sharing in the forum :

Our Sovereignty Is Not for Sell to FDI

Foreign Direct Investment: Development and Profit Repatriation

SUPRO is a network of local NGOs and CSOs in Bangladesh campaigning for economic justice, good governance and promoting right based approach since 2001. To know detail about the network, please visit www.supro.org, the site is regularly updated.

 SUPRO does like to take critical approach in respect of foreign direct investment (FDI), which supposes to transfer technology, employment creation and strengthen economy of the least developed countries. But there are questions, whether it is having in this line, rather empirical evidences showing that FDI is repatriating hard earned foreign currencies of developing countries, plundering national resources like gas, oil and coal mines. Due to global neo liberal policy regimes LDCs hardly have been able to create locally appropriate pro people accountability upon them.

 SUPRO has taken steps to have study on this since the beginning of 2006, study and campaign for greater awareness and action is being carried out. This is the booklet will be a milestone for sharing in this respect.

  Click here for DOC file.

Debt Cancellation Must Be Correlated to MDGs

Debt and Millennium Development Goals in Bangladesh

SUPRO is a network of local NGOs and CSOs in Bangladesh campaigning for economic justice, good governance and promoting right based approach since 2001. To know detail about the network, Please visit www.supro.org, the site is regularly updated.

 Bangladesh has several indicators, i.e., it is the most poverty stricken country (lowest level of per capita income, per square kilometer density of poor population, highest maternal and children mortality rate, and highest rate of natural disaster). Despite, the country demonstrates good progress in respect of MDGs achievement (school enrolment rate, reduce level maternal mortality etc). Amidst this situation the country should be encouraged to achieve progress in MDGs by debt cancellation i.e., enabling the country to invest resources for MDGs. It is already paying 19-23 % of its annual budget for debt servicing and paying US $ 1.5 for every $1 received in aid/grant.

 Bangladesh is not entitled for the debt cancelletion due to the “debt to export” ratio of the Bretton Woods Institutions, while UN Secretary General and UN Millennium Project take otherwise position, which is to link the debt cancellation and MDG achievement. Jubilee Netherlands has done the basic research on this, while SUPRO took initiative for campaign, along with campaign this paper will be updated continuously.

Click here for Doc  file.