In-house Seminar

This in-house seminar focuses on the European Union's "Global Gateway" initiative, a strategy designed to boost smart, clean, and secure links in digital, energy, and transport sectors worldwide. The session critically analyzes this major connectivity plan within the broader context of an era defined by competing geopolitical and geo-economic visions, most notably China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The primary objective is to dissect the prospects and challenges that the Global Gateway presents for Bangladesh. The discussion will explore the potential opportunities for Bangladesh to attract high-quality, sustainable investment in its infrastructure and digital economy, aligning with the EU's emphasis on values-based and transparent projects.

Panelists will assess how the Global Gateway's priority areas—such as green energy transition, secure digital infrastructure, and resilient supply chains—resonate with Bangladesh's own development priorities outlined in Vision 2041. However, the seminar will also address the significant challenges. This includes understanding the practical differences between the Global Gateway's investment model, which relies heavily on leveraging private sector capital, versus the state-led model of the BRI. It will also examine the stringent conditionalities related to governance, environmental standards, and labor rights that are integral to the EU's approach. The dialogue aims to formulate a strategic outlook for Bangladesh, providing policy recommendations on how to effectively engage with the Global Gateway, navigate the complexities of competing connectivity strategies, and leverage this new dynamic to maximize its developmental gains while maintaining its strategic autonomy in a multipolar world.