President, Winrock delegation discuss development priorities

The Winrock International delegation pays a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at Bangabhaban today

A delegation from Winrock International, led by its global president and chief executive officer Maqsoda Maqsodi, paid a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at Bangabhaban in Dhaka today.

The delegation briefed the President on Winrock’s work in agriculture, aquaculture, natural resource management, trade facilitation, safe migration and counter-trafficking, according to a press release.

The President acknowledged Winrock’s contributions and highlighted key national priorities, including improving healthcare access in remote and rural communities, strengthening food security, improving the preservation and processing of agricultural products, developing an efficient, technology-enabled food supply chain and promoting safe migration.

Earlier, on Sunday, Maqsoda met Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad. The discussion highlighted Winrock’s longstanding partnership with Bangladesh and its continued commitment to supporting the country’s development priorities.

The Speaker stressed the importance of protecting citizens, strengthening agricultural livelihoods and advancing the agriculture sector. 

He also highlighted Bangladesh’s growing vulnerability to climate change and the need to promote climate-resilient agriculture and aquaculture, particularly in the southern region, where rising salinity poses significant challenges to farming and livelihoods.

Maqsoda was accompanied by Fuad M Khalid Hossen, deputy chief of party and technical lead at the USDA-funded Bangladesh Trade Facilitation Project, and Nasir Chowdhury, project director of the US-based nonprofit organization during the meeting.

The delegation also met Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Senior Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury to discuss cooperation between Winrock International and the Ministry of Home Affairs in preventing human trafficking and protecting and supporting survivors.

 “For more than 50 years, Winrock has worked alongside Bangladesh’s institutions, businesses and communities,” Maqsoda said.

“We came to listen to the Government’s priorities and reaffirm our commitment to helping build a prosperous, resilient Bangladesh.

“We believe that sustained partnerships are essential to creating opportunities, strengthening communities and advancing inclusive development,” she added.

The delegation was also scheduled to meet Md Asaduzzaman, minister for law, justice and parliamentary affairs.