DHAKA: Though the country is on track in achieving the millennium development goals, growing disparities between the rich and the poor diminish the glory of achievements.

The evaluation came in the progress report on the universally designed millennium development goals or MDGs in Bangladesh.

It says, “In some parts of the country acute poverty prevails while there are riches in the areas of those who have owned a lot of resources.”

The report, officially published Wednesday, also pointed out regional disparities within the country.

The report, styled ‘Millennium Development Goals: Bangladesh Progress 2009’, also mentions lack of planning, expertise and coordination, structural weaknesses, malnutrition and regional poverty  as the main causes of these sorts of discrimination.

It is the fourth progress report on Bangladesh’s achievement of MDGs.

Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Planning Minister AK Khandaker and the UNDP country representative were present at the publication ceremony.

The report emphasizes increase in agricultural production, diversification of crops and collective land management for quick poverty reduction in the country.

Besides, it recommends collective urbanization policy, effective social safety net programmes, implementation of nutrition and health programmes, employment opportunities and reduction of energy crisis, and good governance as the remedies.

Bangladesh has succeeded in reducing poverty level to 38.7 percent in three years against its goal of 29 percent by 2015, the report says.

BDST: 2033 HRS, SEP 14, 2010