LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Engineer Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Thursday called upon all to work together rising above political narrowness to attain the expected goal of national development.
He made the call speaking as chief guest at the 31st annual general meeting of National Rural Development Cooperatives Federation at Engineers Institution auditorium in the city.
“Cooperative is the key economic development and one of the driving forces of overall development,” the minister said, adding that the contribution of cooperatives to country’s socio-economic development is undeniable.
Presided over by National Rural Development Cooperatives Federation President Israfil Alam, MP, the meeting was addressed by Department of Cooperatives Director General M Mafizul Islam as special guest.
Cooperatives are playing an important role in country’s economic development, Khandaker Mosharraf said and added that if the assets under cooperatives could be utilized properly, Bangladesh could be a middle-income country before 2021.
He said there are more than 40,000 ‘One house, one farm’ projects in the country, which would be turned into cooperatives in phases.
Responding to various demands raised by the cooperatives, the minister said legitimate demands would be met.
He said the government is currently giving Taka 425 crore subsidy in agriculture loan.
