Claims Hasan Mahmud

BSS, Dhaka

Information and Communication Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday said the country’s poverty rate has come down to 16 percent from over 20 percent of the total population.

“Our per capita income has surpassed that of India. We are the 35th country in terms of GDP in the world and our economy has ranked 31st in terms of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP),” he said.

However, he did not elaborate further on the timeline and sources of the data.

Dr Hasan, also Awami League (AL) joint general secretary, said this while addressing a discussion as the chief guest at Jahir Raihan Color Lab Auditorium of Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) in the city, marking the National Film Day.

Bangladesh is now a bigger economic country than Malaysia in terms of GDP and in the next few years the country will be the 27th economy in the globe, he said.

Earlier, the information minister started the day’s programme by placing a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on BFDC premises. Subsequently, he joined the rally with film artists and inaugurated the day’s events by releasing pigeons and balloons.

Film actresses Rojina and Anjana, Film Director Kazi Hayat and BFDC Managing Director Nujhat Yeasmin joined the rally, among others.