The closing ceremony of the Chevron-funded Uddokta-Empowering Entrepreneurs Project, implemented by iDE Bangladesh, was held at a prestigious hotel at Gulshan in Dhaka.
The event, themed “Reflections on Sustainability and Empowering Entrepreneurs,” celebrated the project’s impactful outcomes and achievements over its nearly four-year journey on Tuesday.
The project empowered over 1,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and 110 village development association (VDO) cooperative societies, enhancing their technical and business skills while fostering economic stability.
The Chief Guest, Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, Honorary Fellow of the Center for Policy Dialogue, commended the project’s success in promoting sustainable entrepreneurship.
Greg Barnes, Director of Finance, Chevron Bangladesh, and Muhammad Imrul Kabir, Director of Corporate Affairs, Chevron Bangladesh, highlighted Chevron’s commitment to socio-economic development.
Special guests included Feroz Ahmed, Deputy Director (Training), Department of Fisheries; Dr. F. M. Mahbubur Rahman, Director (Planning)-ICT Wing, Department of Agricultural Extension; and Dr. Hosne Ara Begum, Principal Scientific Officer, Department of Livestock Services.
Sameer Karki, Country Director of iDE Bangladesh, presided over the event, while Paromita Dutta, Monitoring and Evaluation Expert at iDE Bangladesh, moderated the program.
Entrepreneurs and VDO representatives shared their inspiring success stories, expressing gratitude to the Uddokta Project and Chevron Bangladesh.
Key Outcomes and Striking Features:
Broad Community Impact: Approximately 42,500 people in Chevron Bangladesh’s operational areas in Sylhet and Habiganj directly benefited from the initiative, strengthening local economies and creating sustainable livelihoods.
Capacity Building:
Through targeted training programs, entrepreneurs gained valuable knowledge on technical innovation, modern agricultural practices, and financial management, enabling them to scale their businesses effectively.
Promoting Sustainable Practices:
The project emphasized the use of improved seed varieties, organic pesticides, and modern farming techniques to enhance productivity while preserving environmental sustainability.
Access to Market and Capital Growth:
Uddokta facilitated critical connections between entrepreneurs, markets, and financial institutions, helping grow businesses and preserve capital within local communities.
The Uddokta-Empowering Entrepreneurs Project successfully strengthened entrepreneurial ecosystems and promoted inclusive economic growth in Chevron Bangladesh’s operational areas.
The initiative leaves a legacy of empowered individuals, sustainable businesses, and resilient communities, reinforcing Chevron’s role as a partner in Bangladesh’s development.
