Export Competitiveness for Jobs(EC4J) Project

Welcome to Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) Project

Project Overview

The Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) project supported the Government of Bangladesh’s export diversification targets. The project was designed to enhance the growth and competitiveness of selected sectors beyond Ready-Made Garments (RMG) and to create more and better job opportunities. The project focused on four priority sectors in which Bangladesh has a demonstrated comparative advantage or which provide essential inputs in export-oriented manufacturing value chains:

Leather and Leather Goods
Footwear
Light Engineering
Plastics

The overall project objective was to contribute to export diversification and the creation of high-quality employment across these targeted sectors.

Private Sector Benefits & Impact

The project directly supported private sector companies in these four sectors by helping them address critical constraints in:

Accessing export markets and integrating into global value chains
Enhancing overall productivity and manufacturing capabilities
Improving Environmental, Social, and Quality (ESQ) compliance standards
Utilizing shared, collective infrastructure facilities

Project interventions were specifically designed to benefit companies already participating in export markets as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with high potential and aspirations to enter global export value chains.

Key Project Highlights

Market Intelligence & Branding: Created widespread market awareness, gathered actionable market intelligence, and launched targeted, sector-specific branding initiatives.
Export Readiness Fund (ERF): Deployed matching grants via a competitive challenge fund to directly assist firms with ESQ assessments and provide incentives for implementing compliance upgrades.
Capacity Building & Training: Delivered sector-specific technical training on ESQ standards and published essential reference materials, including industry compliance handbooks.
Technology Centers: Established four world-class Technology Centers to provide enterprises with direct access to modern technologies, advanced technical skills, and tailored business development services.

Project Components

Component 1: Market Access Support Program

Supported firms in accessing international markets and integrating into global value chains. It engaged at both sector and firm levels to incentivize investment in meeting national, international, and buyer-specific ESQ standards. Implementation was achieved through nationwide awareness campaigns, institutional capacity building, matching grants for firm-level compliance, market intelligence development, and strategic sector branding.

Component 2: Productivity Enhancement Program

Supported the establishment of four Technology Centers (TCs) strategically located near key production clusters. The TCs provided access to modern tools, mold & die making facilities, product design, testing and calibration services, technical workforce training, business advisory services, and job-work execution.

Component 3: Public Investment Facility for Infrastructure Constraints

Addressed infrastructure bottlenecks in key industrial clusters. Key developments included connecting Technology Centers to essential utility services, constructing access roads, setting up waste management and storage facilities, and completing last-mile infrastructure connectivity.

Component 4: Project Implementation Unit (PIU) & Management

Managed overall implementation and operational activities under the leadership of the Ministry of Commerce.

Implementation Arrangements

The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) set up by the Ministry of Commerce led execution in close collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Industries, the Business Promotion Council, and relevant industry associations. Additionally, the EC4J project team coordinated the implementation of the complementary technical advisory initiative, the Sector Competitiveness Advisory, implemented by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Project Fact Sheet

Name of the Project: Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) Project
Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Commerce, Government of Bangladesh
Project Effective Date: December 18, 2017
Project Completion Date: June 30, 2026
Development Partner: International Development Association (IDA), World Bank Group (Credit: US$ 100 Million)
Government of Bangladesh (GoB) Contribution: BDT 172.12 Crore
Total Project Cost: BDT 1,105.27 Crore