PKSF working to address economic disparity
Bangladesh has made significant achievements in development, and this march towards progress continues. However, discrimination, especially regional discrimination, is also rising at the same time. PKSF is relentlessly working to address this disparity, said PKSF Managing Director Dr Nomita Halder ndc on 13 November 2022.
She was speaking at the inaugural event of the PKSF Day 2022 celebrations at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in Dhaka.
With a slogan ‘Towards Development with Equity,’ Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) observed the PKSF Day 2022 through an elaborate program at the KIB Auditorium in Dhaka. Dr. Gowher Rizvi, International Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister, joined the event as chief guest via a video message. Sharifa Khan, Secretary of Economic Relations Division (ERD) at the Ministry of Finance, was the special guest. The event was presided over by PKSF Chairman Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad.
Dr QK Ahmad said the main goal of PKSF is to establish human dignity for all. At the heart of this approach is a nature of development that is inclusive, participatory and equitable. “Apart from economic growth, we are working to develop human capacity as well,” the economist said.
In the opening speech, Dr Nomita Halder, also a former secretary, said PKSF was established by the Government of Bangladesh three decades ago to alleviate poverty through employment generation. Today, it is a family of 1.76 crore members, more than 90% of whom are women. Alongside financial support, PKSF is implementing various programs for enterprise development, risk mitigation, housing for the poor, health, education, potable water, agriculture and climate change impacts, she added.
Chief guest Dr Rizvi said Bangladesh is making progress in every socio-economic indicator, thanks to the increase in per capita income and a steady economic growth. Everyone should work shoulder to shoulder to keep up the progress towards sustainable development and transform Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous country. He noted that as most PKSF activities are aligned with the SDGs, the Bangladesh government attaches significant priority to PKSF’s work.
Special guest Sharifa Khan said PKSF in the past decade has diversified its activities immensely. “There is not a single aspect of human life – from birth till death – that PKSF does not intervene,” she noted.
PKSF came into being as a specialized institution for poverty alleviation through the Presidential approval on 13 November 1989. PKSF officially started its journey in 1990. This is the first time PKSF is celebrating PKSF Day.
Speaking on the occasion, former chairmen M Syeduzzaman and Dr Muhammed Farashuddin and former managing directors of PKSF Badiur Rahman, Dr Md Abdul Karim and Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah shared their experience and memories with PKSF. They were honored with crests for their contribution to PKSF.
Members of PKSF’s current Board and Executive Directors of its Partner Organizations from across the country were also present at the event.
After the opening session, a meeting was arranged with the participation of the chief executives of the Partner Organizations at PKSF auditorium. The participants explored the issues to further strengthen the field-level activities in alleviating poverty sustainably.
Following the discussion session, a colorful cultural event was also organized in the evening.
