People couldn't get much benefit from microcredit: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said some people have earned name and fame by introducing themselves as proponent of microcredit, but reality is that the people of Bangladesh could not get benefit to that extent through it.

"Once upon a time we saw that some people tried to take applause with microcredit and we had extended support to it as we thought the people will be lifted out of the poverty line," she said.

She continued: "But when we thought the issue deeply, we saw that poverty alleviation is not possible through it, rather it (poverty alleviation) is nurtured." 

The prime minister made the remarks while inaugurating 'Development Fair-2019' organised by the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).

The premier pointed out that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had launched the microcredit scheme in the country after independence through Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB) to boost production of agriculture products and market those properly by uniting the people through coooperatives. 

In this connection, she said some people, however, have earned name and fame by introducing themselves as proponent of the microcredit. "But reality is that the people of Bangladesh couldn't get benefit from it to that extent," she added. 

The PKSF has arranged the seven-day 'Development Fair-2019' with a view to expanding the market of products made by marginal people and participants of different programmes of PKSF.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal was present as the special guest at the inaugural function of the fair, while PKSF Chairman Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad presided over it.

PKSF Managing Director Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah delivered the welcome address at the function.

Ministers, advisers to the prime minister, parliament members, diplomats, distinguished persons and high civil and military officials were also present at the function.

At the function, lifetime achievement award was given to former agriculture minister Begum Matia Chowdhury for her outstanding contributions to the development of agriculture, ensuring welfare of the farmers and alleviating poverty. 

Matia Chowdhury received the award -- a citation, crest and a cheque of Taka 50,000 -- from the prime minister.