Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said rural development is the cornerstone of Bangladesh's sustainable growth, stressing that the country's development goals cannot be achieved without improving the overall condition of rural areas.
"Sustainable development of Bangladesh is not possible without the overall development of rural areas," Fakhrul said while addressing a discussion marking National Rural Development Day-2026 at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
He said the government has been consistently investing in roads, communication networks and other infrastructure across the country to improve rural livelihoods.
However, the minister stressed that infrastructure alone cannot ensure sustainable development.
"True development cannot be achieved unless people's incomes increase and their economic capacity is ensured," he said.
Calling for greater public accountability, Fakhrul also urged people to take a firm stand against corruption.
"Everyone must perform their duties responsibly with dedication and a mindset of self-reliance. We must build social resistance against corruption and firmly say 'no' to corruption," he said.
The minister said that although Bangladesh currently remains a Least Developed Country (LDC), the government's goal is to build a poverty-free, prosperous and self-reliant nation.
Referring to the country's rural development agenda, Fakhrul said the Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB) had been rendered virtually inactive in the past as no meaningful initiatives were taken to strengthen the institution.
He said the government has now launched efforts, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's vision, to transform BRDB into a modern, effective and people-oriented institution capable of making a greater contribution to rural development and employment generation.
Earlier in the day, Fakhrul attended a discussion at the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), marking the organization’s 47th founding anniversary and the second World Rural Development Day.
Later, he formally inaugurated National Rural Development Day-2026 by releasing balloons and doves, symbols of peace, at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium premises.
He and State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam also visited stalls set up by various offices and agencies under the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division before joining a rally around the venue.
At the beginning of the program, a commemorative publication marking National Rural Development Day-2026 was unveiled.
Bangladesh Rural Development Board Director General AKM Tarek delivered the welcome address.
The program was chaired by Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Secretary Mohammad Showkat Rashid Chowdhury.
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