A Corresponden:t
Rangpur: Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Ala-mgir yesterday said the present government would provide all-out support to help rural women market their handicrafts internationally.
“There is a huge demand abroad for handicrafts made by women from rural areas. Members of various BRDB associations are contributing to the country’s economic development by becoming self-reliant through their own initiative and hard work,” he said.
He made the remarks while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the divisional office of the Bangla-desh Rural Development Board (BRDB) at the District Shilpakala Academy auditorium on the Public Library premises in the city as the chief guest.
He also distributed tree saplings, small and entrepreneurial loans, and incentive cheques among benefi-ciaries, including teenage girls.
Secretary of the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mohammad Showkat Rashid Chowdhury presided over the func-tion.
Highlighting the government’s emphasis on women’s education and empowerment, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who is also the BNP Secretary General, said the government had taken various effective steps to ensure higher education for women.
“As a result, women are getting the opportunity to study free of charge up to the graduation level,” he said.
Emphasizing the importance of technical education in reducing unemployment, he said the demand for skilled workers in the international labour market was steadily increasing.
“Therefore, unemployed youths should receive technical training and take advantage of employment op-portunities abroad. This will help improve their financial condition while making an important contribu-tion to the country’s economy,” he said.
Referring to the development of the Rangpur region, he said an agricultural hub would be established to increase farmers’ incomes and ensure proper storage of agricultural produce.
At the same time, the government is taking various initiatives to make products from the region export-oriented.
“In this regard, the government will provide the necessary support. If production and investment in-crease, the overall socio-economic development of the region will be further accelerated,” he said.
Highlighting various public welfare initiatives, he said the present government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was working relentlessly to improve the living standards of the common people.
Programs such as the Krishak Card, agricultural loan waiver, Family Card and canal excavation program are already being implemented and are playing an important role in the country’s overall development, he added.
Among others, BRDB Director General AKM Tarek, Rangpur-3 lawmaker Mahbubar Rahman Belal, reserved-seat MP Advocate Rezeka Sultana Fancy, Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Is-lam, Rangpur Development Authority Chairman Md Shamsuzzaman Samu, Rangpur Range DIG Aminul Islam, Rangpur Zilla Parishad Administrator Md Saiful Islam, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ruhul Amin and BNP leaders attended the program.
Earlier, the minister inaugurated the Rangpur divisional BRDB office by unveiling a plaque at a colour-ful ceremony held on the office premises in the wholesale fish market area adjacent to the Rangpur Cen-tral Bus Terminal at 10 am.
Later, he inaugurated the three-day ‘Palli Mela-2026’ and visited the stalls at the Rangpur Central Sha-heed Minar premises as the chief guest.
A total of 29 stalls have been set up at the fair, which will remain open from 10 am to 7 pm daily for three days.
Government officials, entrepreneurs, teachers, students and people from different professions attended the events.
