The newly appointed UNDP resident representative in Dhaka. David Lockwood. Tues day said his organi*uion Is trying to reach ^e^^^et people' directly ^■^its programmes and pranged strategies to work through the government. reports BSS.

"The policy of the Bangladesh s new government to reform and strengthen the local government system would help us greatly to reach the community level directly.” he said during talks with reporters at the UNDP office in the city.

He termed the Installation of the country's new government as a "golden moment" to initiate development programmes with a new perspective.

The UNDP has declared October 17 as the 'International Day for Eradication of Poverty' while the week commencing October 17 would be observed as the 'Poverty Eradication Week' globally.

Speaking on the occasion, deputy representative Michael Constable said 'whatever indicator you use. more than 50 per cent Bangladeshi people live below the poverty line... therefore, it (poverty) is a crucial issue for the country,"

According to Human Development Index (HDD. out 192 countries. Bangladesh ranks 12th from the bottom.

In the South Asian region Pakistan ranks 33. India 20. Srl Lanka 442 and Nepal two from the bottom.