Ensuring economic freedom of people underscored
Friday, 29 April 2011
FE report
Speakers at a seminar Thursday put emphasis on ensuring economic freedom of the people of the country with a view to decreasing the poverty rate. They also said the government must provide security to the common people, specially the women, as rural women play an important role in contributing to the gross domestic product (GDP) by working in the agricultural sector. They were speaking at the seminar on "Human Development and Human Security: Focus on Disadvantaged Groups" held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city. Professor, School of Economics, University of Ulster, UK Siddiqur Rahman Osmani presided over the seminar. Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) and Dhaka School of Economics jointly organised the seminar where BEA President Dr Abul Barkat presented the key-note paper. Speaking at the seminar as the chief guest Social Welfare Minister Enamul Huq Mostafa Shaheed said the steps of non-government organisations (NGOs) in the country are not the solution to decreasing the poverty rate. Though NGOs in the country play a significant role in increasing employment, they are exploiting the distressed people by imposing higher interest rate on micro-credit, the minister said. The government's first duty is to fulfil the basic needs of the people; otherwise they will not abide by the rules and regulations of the country, Mr Shaheed said.
Speakers at a seminar Thursday put emphasis on ensuring economic freedom of the people of the country with a view to decreasing the poverty rate. They also said the government must provide security to the common people, specially the women, as rural women play an important role in contributing to the gross domestic product (GDP) by working in the agricultural sector. They were speaking at the seminar on "Human Development and Human Security: Focus on Disadvantaged Groups" held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city. Professor, School of Economics, University of Ulster, UK Siddiqur Rahman Osmani presided over the seminar. Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) and Dhaka School of Economics jointly organised the seminar where BEA President Dr Abul Barkat presented the key-note paper. Speaking at the seminar as the chief guest Social Welfare Minister Enamul Huq Mostafa Shaheed said the steps of non-government organisations (NGOs) in the country are not the solution to decreasing the poverty rate. Though NGOs in the country play a significant role in increasing employment, they are exploiting the distressed people by imposing higher interest rate on micro-credit, the minister said. The government's first duty is to fulfil the basic needs of the people; otherwise they will not abide by the rules and regulations of the country, Mr Shaheed said.