LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Barrister Abdus Salam Talukder said the present gov eminent has undertaken a massive programme for poverty alleviation and economic development of the rural people, reports UNB

Salam, who is also the Vice-Chairperson of the Centre for Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (C1RDAP), stressed the need for planned rural development programmes for poverty alleviation and economic development in Asia-Pacific region.

He was inaugurating a two-day 15th regular meeting of the executive committee of CIRDAP at a local hotel yesterday.

Presided over by ihe Secretary of Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Md Mahe Alam, the session was addressed, among others, by the Deputy Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Md Abdul Hye, Chairperson of CIRDAP executive committee DGP Seneviratne. Vice Chairperson of CIRDAP executive committee AJom Thavonsouk and Director of CIRDAP Somporn Hanpongpandh.

Delegates from all eleven CIRDAP member countries — India, Indonesia. Lao PDR. Malaysia. Nepal. Pakistan. The Philippines. Shri Lanka, Thailand. Vietnam and host Bangladesh — are attending the meeting.

Observers from AARRO. ADB. FAO/RAPA. GTZ. ILO, UffoP. UNFPA. USAID. WFP and WHO are also attending the meet.

Lauding the role of the CIRDAP Salam Talukder said that It had been providing very

useful services to its member countries through research, action research, training and information programmes

He also emphasised on removing hunger, diseases, malnutrition. poverty and illiteracy from these countries.

The minister hoped that other non-member countries would soon Join the CIRDAP family to carry ahead its activities.

Abdul Hye hoped that CIRDAP would further strengthen its expertise in assisting th® member countries in their efforts to remove hunger and ameliorate the lot of the common people.

During the two-day deliberations. the executive commit tee will also consider the cur rent activities of CIRDAP and the proposed programme for 1994-95 biennium.