Prof Yunus seeks Swedish investment in social businesses in Bangladesh

Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Interim Government Professor Muhammad Yunus yesterday urged Sweden to consider investing in social business in his country instead of providing grants as development assistance.

Professor Yunus came up with the call when Jakob Granit, Director General of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), met him at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.

"What I have been promoting is social business as grant money is a charity," the Chief Adviser told the Swedish official, underlining healthcare as a potential area for social business investment.

He also sought Sweden's assistance in resolving Bangladesh's energy crisis by importing hydroelectricity from Nepal, which has immense resources left unused and is ready to export. 

"We are an energy-starved country. Nepal has a huge resource for producing hydropower, and we are willing to bring it. SIDA can collaborate with both of us to make that happen," Prof Yunus said.

SIDA implements Swedish government policy for global development. Sweden's current cooperation strategy for international development cooperation with Bangladesh covers the period 2021-2025.

SIDA has provided close to one billion SEK in 2024 from various strategies being implemented in Bangladesh. It provided 127.7 million SEK as humanitarian assistance in 2024, mostly for the displaced Myanmar nationals in Bangladesh and the host community in Cox's Bazar.

SIDA Director General Jakob Granit said they were looking forward to ways on how to make their assistance "effective in the changed geopolitical situation" and in the "critically important period" for Bangladesh.

"Also, we are looking for ways on how we can support the Bangladesh government and make sure that we have the right type of support," he said. 

The Swedish official enquired about the government's reform initiatives.

The Chief Adviser welcomed the gesture and hoped that Swedish support would help the transformation of the country.

"As an Interim Government, we don't have much time left, but we want to lay down the foundation," he said. 

He added everything collapsed in Bangladesh during the past regime, and the Interim Government was working to rebuild those "piece by piece."