The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Finance Adviser Dr A B Mirza Azizul Islam Thursday admitted presence of significant inequality in some districts and said the government will be taking measures through infrastructural development for economic growth of those areas.

"Incidence of poverty in Barisal, Khulna and Rajshahi divisions is higher than Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet. Building of Padma Bridge will reduce cost of doing business there and attract investment resulting economic growth and reduction of inequality," the Adviser said yesterday at a dialogue in the city.

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in collaboration

He said the problem of disparity raised over the time, will take time to address.

"The present government will be taking initiatives to address the inequalities but I hope the future government will also follow the same," he said.

Investment will automatically come if the areas are infrastructurally developed, the Adviser added.

He said the Government is trying to increase allocation for depressed areas.

Planning Division secretary Zafar Ahmed Chowdhury emphasised on public private cooperation for unlocking the potentials for development of the country.

Prof Sarwar Zahan emphasised on empowerment of poor people to strengthen democracy.

M Syeduzzaman said the unequal situation exists in most of the South Asian countries. Such kind of inequality is not unnatural, he said.

Abul Mal Abdul Muhit said the government has to develop a strategy that includes development of the rural areas.

MK Anwar said the matter of disparity depends on various factors. "So, steps should be taken to reduce the inequality considering those matters like population, resources and potentials."

Dr. Uttam Deb said that the regional disparities are increasing in some areas of the country due to government's wrong policies and strategies.