IFC Assists Dhaka City Authority to Implement Safe Building Standards
Dhaka, Bangladesh, March 12, 2014 –
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is working with the Dhaka city development authority to improve building safety standards by strengthening the construction permit approval process and related building inspection mechanisms.
With this project, Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund, managed by IFC in partnership with the U.K. government and the European Union, aims to improve safe building standards prevalent in Bangladesh. Through this project, IFC will support Dhaka city development authority, Rajdhani Unnayan Kotripokkho or RAJUK, to introduce third party inspection for increased safety, streamline existing laws, automate the construction permits issue process, and introduce digital signatures to reduce paperwork.
The project will actively encourage pro-environment green options to save water and energy in new buildings by incorporating green building measures in the RAJUK construction regulation.
“Dhaka is densely populated and situated in an earthquake prone zone. Bringing down risk levels in buildings is crucial. To address global concerns around safety in buildings, we are keen to support strict enforcement of building inspection and regulation of construction permits,” said Md. Nurul Huda, Chairman of RAJUK.
Dhaka is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, and there is a need for more disciplined growth in the future. In a landmark move, Bangladesh government has committed cash contribution to the project aiming to improve the country’s investment climate.
“IFC is committed to providing assistance to raise safety standards of buildings in Bangladesh. Once factories and buildings are given clearance using a thorough, fast and reliable system, investment confidence in Bangladesh will get a boost. This will also help address concerns about unsafe infrastructure in the ready-made garment sector,” said Kyle F Kelhofer, IFC Country Manager.
IFC and International Labour Organization are working together on a labor standards program called Better Work, which focuses on improved buildings for worker security. IFC recently participated in the International Trade Expo for Building Fire Safety along with other stakeholders in Bangladesh to take the dialogue further
IFC’s advisory services focus on improving business operating environment in addition to a growing investment program in Bangladesh. IFC works with the government to design and implement programs to introduce business-friendly policies, laws and regulations, while strengthening the institutions that implement them.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. Working with private enterprises in more than 100 countries, we use our capital, expertise, and influence to help eliminate extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity. In FY13, our investments climbed to an all-time high of nearly $25 billion, leveraging the power of the private sector to create jobs and tackle the world’s most pressing development challenges. For more information, visit
www.ifc.org
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