SM Humayun Kabir
National and international award-winning organization ‘Agrajatra’ has put forward several important proposals to economically enrich Cox’s Bazar by developing women entrepreneurs and utilizing the potential of the tourism sector. The organization’s founder and CEO, Neelima Akhter Chowdhury, made some special requests to the Honorable Chief Advisor, including empowering women entrepreneurs, developing tourism-friendly infrastructure, establishing international-standard training centers, and planning for economic growth. He said, “Although women in Cox’s Bazar are traditionally conservative, it is possible to develop them as entrepreneurs and turn Cox’s Bazar into a developed entrepreneurial city by promoting branding of local products and eco-friendly tourism.”5 key recommendations for the development of women entrepreneurs:

1. Local economy and food security:

An Agriculture, Food Security & Livelihood project has been called for to meet the food and livelihood needs of about 4.5 million local and Rohingya people in Cox’s Bazar. In particular, it has been proposed to establish an international standard training academy to train and develop women as entrepreneurs in the fisheries, dry-food, pearling and salt industries, utilizing the potential of the blue economy.
2. Establishment of women-friendly business centers and display centers:

A proposal has been made to establish a multifunctional women-friendly business center and display center in Cox’s Bazar in collaboration with women entrepreneurs, which will ensure the effective involvement of women in the tourism sector.

• Establishing international standard technical training centers and nursing colleges:
There have been calls for language training, advanced technical training, and the establishment of a nursing college to produce skilled women and youth workers for the domestic and international labor markets.
• Funding allocation for local women-led organizations:
Currently, the reduction in funding from USAID and WFP is hampering development activities in the Rohingya camps and the local community. Therefore, there is a demand for funding for local organizations so that they can implement projects efficiently.
• Establishing international standard tourist centers:
There have been calls for the establishment of an international tourism center modeled on the ‘Polynesian Cultural Center’ in the Hawaiian Islands of the Pacific Ocean to showcase Cox’s Bazar as a tourist city to the world.
Neelima Akhter Chowdhury said, “If we can implement the Honorable Chief Advisor’s ‘Three Zeros Theory’ – zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero carbon emissions, then it is possible to ensure economic prosperity throughout the country, including Cox’s Bazar.”

He also said that there is a need to strengthen social and state security for the dignified coexistence of women at all levels.

These proposals, raised by the organization with the good will of the Chief Advisor, are believed to open the door to new possibilities for women entrepreneurs in the country, including Cox’s Bazar.