A development conference titled "What kind of South-West region we want" was held at Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia on Friday, focusing on the future planning and development of the country's South-West region.
The programme was organised in the afternoon at the Birshrestha Hamidur Rahman Auditorium by Greater Kushtia Officers' Welfare Forum.
The event was chaired by president of the forum and senior secretary (PRL) Dr. K. M. Kabirul Islam while Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister of the Government of Bangladesh Md Asaduzzaman, MP, attended as the chief guest. Meanwhile, IU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah was present as the guest of honour.
Members of parliament from Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Meherpur and Chuadanga districts, along with teachers, officials and students, also attended the programme.
Addressing the event, the law minister said development of Jhenaidah and Kushtia would contribute to the overall progress of the country.
He said initiatives would be taken to implement railway connectivity in the region and considerations were underway regarding the economic and industrial impacts of constructing a second Padma Bridge in the context of the Middle East situation.
He also said solar power-based projects would be introduced in unused lands across the districts to meet electricity demand and support an agricultural transformation in the region.
"Visible progress in these initiatives will be seen in Jhenaidah, Kushtia, Chuadanga and Meherpur within the next six months," he added.
The minister further said political differences may exist ideologically, but unity is essential when it comes to the development of the region. "We want to move away from blame politics and work together for the welfare of the people of this region," he said.
The dialogue also discussed various measures to improve the standards of people living in the greater Kushtia region and to ensure sustainable economic growth.
Participants opined that such dialogues play an important role in bridging coordination between policymakers and local communities.
Among others Md Abdul Gafur, Member of Parliament (Kushtia-2); Md. Amir Hamza, Member of Parliament (Kushtia-3); Md. Afzal Hossain, Member of Parliament (Kushtia-4); Advocate Masud Parvez Russell, Member of Parliament (Chuadanga-1); Advocate Mohammad Ruhul Amin, Member of Parliament (Chuadanga-2); Md. Tajuddin Khan, Member of Parliament (Meherpur-1); Md. Nazmul Huda, Member of Parliament (Meherpur-2); Ali Azam Mohammad Abu Bakar, Member of Parliament (Jhenaidah-2); Md. Matiar Rahman, Member of Parliament (Jhenaidah-3); Mohammad Abu Talib, Member of Parliament (Jhenaidah-4); Md. Abdul Majid, Administrator of Jhenaidah District Council; Mohiuddin, father of martyr Yamin of the July movement; Aminur Rahman, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources; Quazi Atiur Rahman, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, were present.
