Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification in Bangladesh: The Case of Pharmaceuticals and Agro-Food

This report presents an application of the Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification (STED)methodology to two sectors - agro-food and pharma - of Bangladesh’s economy. STED has been developed in recognition of the fact that having the right skills among workers is crucial for firms or industries to succeed in trade, and vice versa understanding trade is important to provide workers with the right skills. Availability of skilled workers contributes to higher and more diversified exports, more FDI, higher absorption of technology, and more sustainable growth and productive employment creation. At the same time, skills are the key determinant for a worker’s success in finding a good job and making a living.