DHAKA, Feb 24, 2024 (BSS) - The United States (US) brought together leaders 
from youth organizations across the country and the private sector to 
establish new partnerships for youth employment and greater prosperity. 
 
The programme is being carried out by The United States Agency for 
International Development (USAID) for building the job skills of Bangladeshi 
youth and unlocks employment opportunities.
 
Visiting USAID Assistant Administrator for Asia Michael Schiffer joined USAID 
Mission Director Reed Aeschliman and Shikho CEO Shahir Chowdhury to sign a 
memorandum of understanding, a US embassy press release said here today. 
 
USAID convened its first-ever youth-private sector marketplace event to 
connect businesses like Visa and Shikho with youth organizations like Jaago 
and the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center to identify and strengthen skills 
needed to modernize the country's workforce. 

This initiative will enable youth to contribute more fully to Bangladesh's 
economic growth.
 
Schiffer said, "Providing youth with more marketable job skills will make 
Bangladesh more competitive and help position the country to be the next 
'Asian Tiger' - a royal Bengal tiger - and deliver on the promise of 
providing more equitable opportunities for prosperity to all citizens." 
 
USAID's education and youth programs are increasingly seeking private sector 
partners to invest in building the skills of youth in classrooms, 
communities, and in the workplace.