EC Country Strategy Paper for Bangladesh 2002-2006

Appropriate intervention in this sector can also be conducive to attract investment from
outward looking south-east Asian countries. An emphasis should be given to regional cooperation
in the interventions in this sector.
Technical Assistance to Trade Selected Sectors
EU's commitment to LDCs on trade-related technical assistance can be amply fulfilled
through a selective programme in Bangladesh. EC-Bangladesh Co-operation Agreement
also provides for technical assistance in preparing the country to fully integrate in the
global market under WTO rules. EC’s support to regional economic co-operation is also
demonstrated through the inclusion of SAARC into the GSP’s regional cumulation provisions
and the South Asian Trade Study (TRACE). These are areas where the EC has a
comparative advantage over Member States.
Trade-related technical assistance measures will focus on the strengthening of the negotiation,
regulatory and technical capacity of those public authorities whose regular competence
includes trade and trade relations. Programmes may cover such areas as industrial,
sanitary, phytosanitary, and environmental norms and standards
II.3 Other EC interventions
EC Co-operation in Chittagong Hill Tracts Region
The management of water resources has become a critical need in Bangladesh because of
growing demand for water and increasing conflict over its alternative uses. This is, to some
extent, also true for the CHT region. In fact the water use and management linked to environment
protection, conservation and rehabilitation was one of the aspects highlighted in
the UNDP sponsored needs assessment mission in 1998. This issue was also identified as a
major issue by the participants of the 14 grassroots workshop of the Environment Management
Action Plan (EMAP) for CHT .
Increasing population pressure due to settlement of non-tribal, indiscriminate deforestation
and pressure on natural resources resulted in an environmental degradation in the area. Because
of increasing saltation of the rivers (due to soil erosion, deforestation, faulty agricultural
practice), flash floods, natural disasters and landslides are frequent. Scarcity of
drinking water due to the pollution of surface water is also a problem. In this context, a correct
natural resources management and especially a good management of water resources
becomes a critical need for CHT.
In the light of what above described, the EC has considered useful to provide water resources
development co-operation in the CHT area as a mean to develop the economic, social
and environmental potential of the region. This respond to the request of GoB to the
donors community seeking for assistance in formulating a long term development plan for
the CHT region, it is coherent with the priorities (environment) set in the new EC/BGD Cooperation
Agreement, it is perfectly in line with the water policy of the government.
Complementing this core activity, the EC will also seek to extend ongoing sector wide programmes
in the health and education sectors to the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
However, the development of the security situation in the region needs a careful assessment
together with EU Member States and other interested donors before the EC may proceed
with any major commitment.
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