Bihar Government, The Convergence Foundation Launch Three-Year Strategic Partnership for Statewide Development

The Planning and Development Department of the Government of Bihar and The Convergence Foundation (TCF) have decided to launch a three-year strategic partnership to accelerate the state's overall development. The partnership was concluded in the august presence of Mr. Pratyay Amrit, Chief Secretary of Bihar. The partnership was attended by Mr. K. Senthil Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Planning and Development Department, Mr. Kanwal Tanuj, Secretary, Mr. Ravish Kishore, Joint Secretary, Mr. Ashok Kumar Tiwari, Deputy Director, Mrs. Shipra, Senior Research Officer, Mr. Prem Shankar, Public Relations Officer, Ms. Shruti, Assistant Director, and other officials. Present on behalf of The Convergence Foundation were Praveen Khangta (TCF), Aditi Elhans (APAG), Mr. Narendra (Atithi), Gopal Krishnan Nair (CSBC), Pallavi Dhall (CSBC), Kamalnath Jha (CSF), and Aditya Tiwari (TCF). This partnership is being established to strengthen the state government's growth and development priorities.

Under this agreement, TCF will provide strategic support to the state government in policy formulation, reform implementation, and key priority areas. This support will be provided directly by TCF or through its portfolio organizations and other leading expert institutions, including on a pro-bono basis.

The key focus areas of this partnership will be:

1. Strengthening the investment-friendly environment through investment reforms, regulatory simplification, ease of doing business, investment attraction, and export promotion.

2. Developing strategic plans to promote regional development.

3. Development of tourism policy and strategy, with a special emphasis on destination branding, good governance, and partnerships.

4. Strengthening the state's capacity for effective delivery of government schemes, strengthening data systems and evidence-based policymaking, and supporting the design and implementation of clean air strategies.

5. Strategic support to the Government of Bihar in the areas of human capital development, including education, sports, employability, skills development, and overseas employment opportunities.

In addition, TCF will also provide support, directly or through its network of partner organizations, in other emerging priority areas identified from time to time by the Chief Secretary of Bihar, as per its capabilities.

Under this collaboration, TCF will establish a Research & Strategy Unit attached to the Chief Secretary's Office, which will work in coordination with various state departments, leadership, and key stakeholders to provide policy and strategy support in priority areas.

The Planning and Development Department believes that this partnership will play a vital role in shaping the economic, social, and institutional development of Bihar.