Foreign Minister Dr AKM Abdul Momen said the present government with its sincere efforts has successfully reduced the poverty rate by 50 percent in the last 10 years.

“Bangladesh is one of the two countries in the world where poverty rate has declined the most,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a function at National Museum Auditorium here yesterday (Monday).

Bangladesh Private University Association organised the discussion on the occasion of the National Mourning Day and 44th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with its chairman Sheikh Kabir Hossain in the chair.

Among others, deputy minister for water resources AKM Enamul Haque Shamim, deputy minister for education Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury and university grants commission chairman Dr Kazi Shahidullah spoke on the occasion.

Recalling with due respect the contribution of the Father of the Nation in achieving an independent Bangladesh, he said Bangabandhu had gave the highest priority to agriculture and education sectors to develop the country.

“Bangabandhu was killed at a time when the agricultural revolution was near its success. But they (killers) could not kill the ideal and spirit of Bangabandhu,” Dr Momen said.