SDF, UNDP to implement two projects in SAARC region

SDF and UNDP will jointly implement two projects, including one on supporting value chain development, in the SAARC Region to provide regional and economic integration.
Sunil Motiwal, CEO of SAARC Development Fund (SDF), said SDF and UNDP have signed an MoU in 2015 to provide strategic growth to the SAARC region, a key goal in collaboration to advance the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in the region.
"We are looking forward to work closely with UNDP in order to achieve our mutual strategic goals," he said.
The project titled 'Support to Value Chain development, Entrepreneurship and Skill Development and Improved Connectivity' adopts a regional approach to enhance economic opportunities for MSMEs through value chain development, entrepreneurship and skill building in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

SDF, in a statement, said it has committed USD 7,835,000 for 50 per cent of the total budget of USD 15,670,000 in the form of financial co-funding.
The project is aimed at targeting 1,63,400 people as direct beneficiaries in social protection, financial inclusion, SME export capacity strengthening and market improvement and at least 0.5 million people as indirect beneficiaries.

The other project 'Economic Empowerment of Women through Energy Access in Mountain Countries of South Asia' is to empower women in the mountainous regions of South Asia through access to sustainable energy services to contribute towards achieving the goals of economic empowerment of women while simultaneously targeting better health, and gender equality.

Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Pakistan are likely to benefit from the project.
The project is targetted 11,840 households, 50 women entrepreneurs and 500 community members as direct beneficiaries.