Global recognition to embolden our efforts: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said recognitions from global institution like World Bank for our anti-poverty programmes will embolden the country’s efforts.

The premier was speaking at a ceremony in Dhaka to mark the End Poverty Day 2016 on Monday. President of The World Bank Group Jim Yong Kim and senior officials attended the programme, reports bdnews24.com.

Hasina mentioned the areas of successes in Bangladesh`s 45 years and hoped the international community would live to its promises in reaching climate change targets and SDGs.

She said she believed Bangladesh would be a middle income country by 2021 and a developed nation by 2041.

Jim Yong Kim, the president of The World Bank Group, said in just a year 100 million people came out of extreme poverty globally.

While he recognised the numbers as impressive, the Bank chief spoke of Bangladesh`s "impressive record" and hoped "lessons of Bangladesh can spread to other countries".

"Innovation is extremely important in eradicating poverty and Bangladesh recognised that very early."

He referred to handling of diseases like diarrhoea, creating "an army of women health workers".

"Investments in people are just as important as investments in hard infrastructure," he said. "These investments occurred despite many challenges."

Paul Romer, the Bank`s chief economist and a senior vice president, was the keynote speaker at the programme.

Romer said the economy in general needs "less government but `countries such as Bangladesh lacked the kind of government needed` to boost economist activities.

Romer stressed investments on education but said quality was the key. He advocated "pursuing growth via equality" and asserted there was no alternative to that.

"We must move quickly," Romer said, every day of delay would be very costly when it came to ending poverty.

Annette Dixon, vice president for South Asia, highlighted Bangladesh`s successes in education, women`s empowerment, anti-poverty programmes and achievement of MDGs.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith referred to resolution taken decades ago to end "the curse of poverty on human race" and said Bangladesh had come a long way towards the goal -- bringing the poor from 75 percent to 20.6 since Independence.

Muhith, who have the welcome address, spoke of the nation`s commitment to carry forward the agenda and vowed to reach tougher sustainable development goals by 2030.

A World Bank presentation documenting Bangladesh`s social development was played at the end of the symbolic event attended by politicians, civil servants, diplomats and civil society representatives.

ERD Senior Secretary Mohammad Mejbahuddin gave the vote of thanks.