Open Flow of Info on Trade & Economy (OFITE)
| Project Status: | Grant Agreement |
| Funding Partner: | The Delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh |
| Location: | Capital Dhaka and five other divisional cities |
| Project Duration: | 1 Year |
| Project Cost: | EUR 94,304.00 |
| MRDI’s Contribution: | EUR 10,168.00 |
| Click to View/Download Budget |
| Mentor: | Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow, CPD Dr. Mostafizur Rahman, Research Director, CPD |
| Team Leader: | Inam Ahmed, Deputy Editor, The Daily Star |
| Training Coordinator: | Syed Ishtiaque Reza, Chief News Editor, Baishakhi Television |
| Project Coordinator: | Hasibur Rahman, Executive Director, MRDI |
| Programme Officer: | Md. Sazzad Hossain, Manager, Programme & Communications, MRDI |
| Accountant: | Md. Abdul Gofur, Manager, Finance & Admin, MRDI |
GOAL
Aims of this project was to develop a critical mass of journalists well-versed in WTO and EC rules and issues, post-MFA market access scenario, EU trade- and investment-related legislation and preferential trade facilities like the GSP it offers to encourage regional co-operation and integration, trade barriers, FDI, TRIPS, CSR, labour and health standards (i.e. SPS), and other compliances to ensure optimum media coverage of trade and economy, and thereby help Bangladesh sail smoothly into the open market regime.
OBJECTIVE
Develop a critical mass of efficient economic journalists who would clearly understand the economic and business events, activities and trends across the globe and inform and interpret that to the domestic audience, including the policymakers and stakeholders, and vice versa have clear perceptions on rules of trade with EC, both in the context of bilateral and multilateral trade regime, and thus help Bangladesh make a smooth, successful and sustainable transition into the new economic order.
MAJOR ACTIVITIES
Developing Modules and Training Materials for
Two-week Foundation training
Two-week Advanced training
Six Advocacy sessions in divisional headquarters
Field Trip to Shrimp Hatcheries
Field Trip to Chittagong Port
Monthly Briefing & Follow-up Sessions
