IFAD President Praises Agriculture-Based Performance of Bangladesh

The Rome-based International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) President Gilbert F Houngbo has praised the ability of Bangladesh to implement projects and use resources as the country is currently the largest portfolio of IFAD globally.

The ceremony was held at the IFAD Headquarter in Rome yesterday, the release added.

During the time, Ambassador Ahsan thanked IFAD President for formally accepting him as Permanent Representative of IFAD and for his (IFAD President) continued support to Bangladesh in eradicating poverty and hunger for more than forty years, reports BSS.

The Ambassador also congratulated Gilbert F Houngbo on his re-election as the sixth President of IFAD. 
Ambassador Ahsan lauded President Houngbo’s commendable initiatives to improve the living standards of rural and marginalized people of the world.
He praised the dynamic leadership of the IFAD president in raising the fund of record 1.55 billion US dollar despite the situation emerged from COVID-19 pandemic as through this fund, the developing countries will be able to receive about 3.8 billion US dollar as grants and loans from IFAD in the tenure of 2022-24.
During the meeting, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative discussed on the ‘Development Expedition (Unnayan Ovijatra)’ led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and highlighted Bangladesh’s exemplary achievements in agriculture and poverty alleviation which have gained global recognition.
Ambassador Ahsan said soon after independence, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman laid the foundation of marginalized people with utmost importance on increasing agricultural production.
Ahsan informed IFAD President that Bangladesh has achieved self-sufficiency in food production under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for building ‘Sonar Bangla’ as dreamt by Bangabandhu.
Manash Mitra, Economic Counsellor and Alternate Permanent Representative to IFAD was present while the IFAD President was accompanied by senior professionals of the IFAD.