The FBCCI Safety Council has successfully completed a major data collection initiative under the Bangladesh Preparedness Partnership (BPP), assessing 900 business entities across Cox’s Bazar, Bagerhat, and Kurigram districts.
The primary objective of this assessment was to evaluate the disaster preparedness, resource capacity, and risk exposure of local businesses located in Disaster-prone areas. Based on the findings, Model Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) will be developed for each district, customized to reflect local business realities and guide effective preparedness and recovery strategies.
In Cox’s Bazar, the assessment was carried out in July 2025 in collaboration with the Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CBCCI). A total of 300 businesses from various trade associations were surveyed by PERT Members. Given the economic significance and concentration of businesses, special priority was given to the dry fish processing sector and the hotel, motel, and guesthouse industry.
In Bagerhat, assessments were conducted by PERT Members during the same period, covering a wide range of businesses from both local business associations and the Mongla Export Processing Zone (EPZ).
In Kurigram, PERT Members engaged a diverse group of businesses across the district. The areas of Bhurungamari, Nageshwari, and Ulipur Upazilas were prioritized based on the concentration of business activities.
All data collection teams were trained in the use of KoBo Toolbox, a digital data collection platform developed by GPAD Ltd., enabling structured and efficient gathering of information on business resources, vulnerabilities, and preparedness capacities.
The assessment initiative was led by Mr. Md. Monjur Kader Khan, Program Coordinator of the FBCCI Safety Council, with essential field support from Mr. Md. Shakhawat Hossain, Capacity Building Specialist, and Mr. Engr. Md. Nimul Islam, Web Developer & IT Officer. Their coordinated efforts ensured high-quality data collection and seamless operational execution across all districts.
Each of the three districts currently has a Private Sector Emergency Response Team (PERT) in place. Based on the assessment results, an additional 40 trained PERT members will be formed in each district. These teams will receive specialized training in disaster preparedness, emergency rescue, and business continuity operations, empowering them to serve as first responders during business-related crises.
This data-driven initiative highlights FBCCI’s continued commitment to building resilience at the local level through strategic planning, private sector mobilization, and strong collaboration with regional chambers. The forthcoming district-level Model BCPs and newly trained response teams will significantly contribute to strengthening Bangladesh’s overall disaster risk management architecture.
The initiative is supported by the Gates Foundation and implemented with technical assistance from the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC).
In Bangladesh, the BPP is led by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), with FBCCI serving as the private sector lead, working to enhance disaster resilience within the country’s business communities.