, May 4 -- Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said joint initiatives with Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) will accelerate rural development in Bangladesh.

He made the remarks when CIRDAP Director General Dr P Chandra Shekara met him at the Secretariat in Dhaka.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed strengthening mutual cooperation in research, training, innovation and the implementation of sustainable development plans in the rural development sector.

They also expressed interest in working jointly to address emerging development challenges and undertake effective and innovative initiatives.

Fakhrul said CIRDAP could become...