'Bangladesh is my university'
"Bangladesh is my university and I am regularly learning from her," said Zanele Mbeki, the visiting First Lady of South Africa, impressed at success of some innovative ventures over here.
"Bangladesh is way ahead in ensuring availability of resources and providing infrastructural facilities," she said appreciating the political role of the government to make micro-credit operations meaningful.
Zanele Mbeki was talking to Prime Minister Khaleda Zia when she called on her at the PMO here yesterday afternoon.
The South African First Lady, who is visiting Bangladesh for the fourth time, said poverty is a big problem for her country where effective strategy is needed to fight it.
She noted that the situation in Bangladesh improved due to participation and intervention of the government.
Khaleda Zia, during the discussion, said the government is not only carrying out macro-credit programme but also implementing more schemes and innovative programmes like housing for the poor to improve the lot of the commonman.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister said apart from the NGOs, the government is also active in making micro-credit venture a success.
She particularly mentioned the training programmes for capacity building of the poor who seek micro-credits to undertake income-generating projects and trades.
Impressed at the success of micro-credit programmes in Bangladesh, Zanele Mbeki said a team of experts was involved in the sector in South Africa to get firsthand information.
She also expressed keen interest in taking experts for training managers and quality controllers in micro-credit and garment sectors of her country.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister also briefly explained her government's programmes in other sectors, particularly girls' education for empowerment of women.
Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Siddiqui and Foreign Secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury were present during the meeting.
Khaleda Zia inquired about wellbeing of President Thabo Mbeki and through the First Lady extended invitation to him to visit Bangladesh.
Comments