27 July 2011, Dhaka. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between BRAC and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to facilitate collaboration in matters of common interest, including contributions to the economic and social development in Africa, Bangladesh and other regions and countries. The two parties agreed to establish the institutional cooperation framework necessary to achieve the partnership.

(In-front from-left)Muhammad Rumme Ali - Managing Director of BRAC, Mahbub Hossain - Executive Director of BRAC, Kenzo Oshima - Senior Vice President of JICA, Toda Takao - Country Director of JICA

The MoU was signed by, Mr. Kenzo Oshima, Senior Vice President, JICA during his visit to Bangladesh and Dr. Mahbub Hossain, Executive Director, BRAC Group.  JICA's country director Toda Takao and Managing Director of BRAC Enterprise Mohammad (Rumee) Ali were also present.

BRAC is a forerunner in promoting agriculture sector in many countries in Africa. They have the experience of community access and capacity building of agricultural programs in Africa which is derived from the experience from their work in Bangladesh in the same sector.  On the other hand, JICA, having recognized the increasing importance of rice production in Africa, launched the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) initiative at Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) IV held in May 2008, in Yokohama, Japan. During the course of discussions, both BRAC and JICA shared common interests in exploring the possibilities of partnerships in promotion of agriculture and rural development in Africa, in particular through the promotion of CARD.

BRAC’s Social Enterprises have evolved to support its core programmes. They enable BRAC to attain its vision and mission statements by sustaining the development interventions and creating job opportunities- thereby contributing to poverty alleviation. JICA supports promoting private sector development that enhances economic and social activities in developing regions of the world, including through its Private Sector Investment Finance. In this common interests, JICA and BRAC are interested in establishment of a Social Development Fund for supporting social enterprise and social business in any country where JICA and BRAC share interests.

Under this MoU, the parties may have the privilege of exchanging opportunities for staff in terms of knowledge and experience through various opportunities.