COMILLA. Feb I State Minister for Planning Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan Tuesday said the government has identified the villages as focal point of devel opment. reports UNB.
Il also emphasized on im proving the lot of women and disadvantaged groups through massive poverty alleviation and rural development progra-inHies. he told a national seminar here.
The state minister was In-iiiguratlng the two-day seminar on Cooperative as a vehi-< Ie for rural developrfient and poverty alleviation at the con ference room of Bangladesh Cooperative College
Dr Khan said cooperative is tire appropriate mechanism or vehicle (or the developnWnt of the national economy as well as to tiring desired change In mx lai Infrastructure
He stressed the need for small credit programmes, productive employment gener at ion and motivational work by cooperatives to involve the poorer segment of the people and women folk In develop ment activities to help attain Ing success of the cooperative programme as social movement.
The minister observed that until and unless the women and the poorer section of the people are-uplifted or empowered , the cooperative move ment•cannot be successful
The government has Initiated participatory approach to formulate a plan doc ument for ensuring proper Implementation of the country a plan, he said
It will thoroughly take into account the needa and priori-ties of general masse* and aug
gest necessary measures so that a balanced development would be attained within a shortest possible period of time.
Referring to the World Social Summit to be held in Copenhagen Dr Khan said so clal development has got priority worldwide which can only be achieved through social development of the poorest of ihe poor who are at present living In hardcore poverty
The Inaugural session of the seminar was also addressed tiy Registrar of Cooperative Societies M Azlxul Hoque Bhuiyan. senior Cooperative Advisor of ILO Ejrin Mogmsen ILO Country Director J oh a nes Lo kolto. UNFPA Director Alain P Mouc hlroud and BRDB Director tienerfo Ayub Quadry.