UNB, Dhaka :
Experts at a discussion here on Monday stressed the need for enough investment in rural areas to alleviate poverty by reducing the rural-urban divide.
Investment is needed in rural areas for substantial reduction in the rural-urban divide, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said while addressing a high-profile panel discussion titled ‘End Global Poverty by 2030:
Sharing Bangladesh’s Experiences’. Economic Relation Division (ERD), Finance Ministry and the World Bank group jointly organised the programme at Osmani Memorial Auditorium, marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Muhith said, “If you invest in rural areas and rural infrastructure, schools and services, and generate employment at the same time, the divide will close.”
He said the Awami League government, after assuming power in 2009, decided that it would not cut investment in social safety net programmes-health, education and sanitation- under any circumstances.
The Finance Minister said the government provides ration of rice to 50 lakh families for 20 days at very reasonable and low prices. He, however, said one of problems of Bangladesh policy is the absence of rigidity. “It’s a problem… we’re not rigid on certain policies.”
Senior Vice President of World Bank Paul Romer also stressed the need for creating jobs and improvement of infrastructure in rural areas to make rural people active and vibrant. “It’ll be very important for the government to have a plan.” Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said the government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has a comprehensive policy for women empowerment.
Without economic empowerment of women, it will not be possible to attain different goals set for women empowerment in the socio-political areas, she said. Talking about the success of Bangladesh in this regard, Chaudhury said there are social safety net programes for women and gender responsive budget in more than 40 ministries. Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said the main objective of the government to keep rural people in their rural areas by creating jobs there. To this end, 100 special economic zones are being set up in rural areas.
Terming the private sector as the main driver of the economic growth, he said all government policies are pro-private sector. “At the end of the current five-year plan in 2020, we expect that our GDP growth rate will reach 8 percent,” he said.
Managing Director of Mohammadi Group Rubana Huq said Bangladesh has had a numerous challenges as the country faced image crisis during the post-Rana Plaza tragedy. “I think that challenge has been dealt with well.”
Country Director of ActionAid Farah Kabir said the economic growth does not necessarily change social attitude and patriarchal mindset. So it needs investment here.
Experts at a discussion here on Monday stressed the need for enough investment in rural areas to alleviate poverty by reducing the rural-urban divide.
Investment is needed in rural areas for substantial reduction in the rural-urban divide, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said while addressing a high-profile panel discussion titled ‘End Global Poverty by 2030:
Sharing Bangladesh’s Experiences’. Economic Relation Division (ERD), Finance Ministry and the World Bank group jointly organised the programme at Osmani Memorial Auditorium, marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Muhith said, “If you invest in rural areas and rural infrastructure, schools and services, and generate employment at the same time, the divide will close.”
He said the Awami League government, after assuming power in 2009, decided that it would not cut investment in social safety net programmes-health, education and sanitation- under any circumstances.
The Finance Minister said the government provides ration of rice to 50 lakh families for 20 days at very reasonable and low prices. He, however, said one of problems of Bangladesh policy is the absence of rigidity. “It’s a problem… we’re not rigid on certain policies.”
Senior Vice President of World Bank Paul Romer also stressed the need for creating jobs and improvement of infrastructure in rural areas to make rural people active and vibrant. “It’ll be very important for the government to have a plan.” Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said the government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has a comprehensive policy for women empowerment.
Without economic empowerment of women, it will not be possible to attain different goals set for women empowerment in the socio-political areas, she said. Talking about the success of Bangladesh in this regard, Chaudhury said there are social safety net programes for women and gender responsive budget in more than 40 ministries. Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said the main objective of the government to keep rural people in their rural areas by creating jobs there. To this end, 100 special economic zones are being set up in rural areas.
Terming the private sector as the main driver of the economic growth, he said all government policies are pro-private sector. “At the end of the current five-year plan in 2020, we expect that our GDP growth rate will reach 8 percent,” he said.
Managing Director of Mohammadi Group Rubana Huq said Bangladesh has had a numerous challenges as the country faced image crisis during the post-Rana Plaza tragedy. “I think that challenge has been dealt with well.”
Country Director of ActionAid Farah Kabir said the economic growth does not necessarily change social attitude and patriarchal mindset. So it needs investment here.
