State Minister for Planning, Science and Technology Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir yesterday emphasised the need for initiating green accounting In Bangladesh to ensure sustainable development, reports BSS.

He was addressing the workshop on "Green accounting in Bangladesh: The way ahead organised by IUCN Bangladesh in the city. Bangladesh Economic Association president Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud presided the inaugural session while Association for Green Accounting in Bangladesh (AGAB) president Dr Q K Ahmad chaired the technical session.

IUCN regional coordinator Dr Zakir Hussain. IUCN Bangladesh office in-charge Rashiduzzaman Ahmed. AGAB members Dr Zahurul Alam. Dr E^?mul Haque. Dr Mahfuzul Haque. Rumi Shammin and Dr M Asaduzzaman. Jahangir Na-tar University Prof Dara hamsuddin. BUP researcher Dr Ahsanuddln, BCAS research fellow Roushan All Chowdhury

and BBS Assistant Director Abdul Malik also spoke.

Dr Alamgir said his government is determined to apply the green accounting method in formulating policy planning in the country.

The state minister said this new methodology is more significant in the context of opening up of new opportunities of development of Chittagong Hill Tracts and energy sector potentials.

Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud underscored the need for integration of economics and other disciplines for a better launching of green accounting in the country's national income accounts.

Generate figures not for figures sake. Generate figures to help shape policy decisions. Dr Manmud added.

AGAB president Q K Ahmed said economic growth should consider environmental and social realities for achieving a sustainable development and balance natural resource uses.