EC envoy lauds successes in social sectors

His commendation came when he made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at her office.

Describing the government programmes on poverty alleviation in Bangladesh as "impressive," Frowein remarked that the programmes have provided opportunity to the people to become owners of some assets, an important aspect of human life.

The Prime Minister expressed her optimism that the existing relationship between Bangladesh and the EC will be strengthened further in future. She urged the EC envoy to covey her good wishes to the President of the EC.

The EC envoy said the EC is involved in different sectors of Bangladesh including poverty alleviation, education, health and food security. He termed the government programmes in education sector as the biggest in Asia.

He said the involvement of EC together with its 25 other member countries in trade-related technical cooperation training is the biggest in Bangladesh.

Frowein said Bangladesh's exports to EC member countries stood at 54 percent.

He congratulated Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for successfully holding the Saarc summit in Dhaka and also for becoming the Chairperson of this regional body.

Frowein expressed the hope that the Saarc will be able to reach a new height under her able leadership.

Assuring EC's all cooperation to Saarc in its institution-building efforts, he hoped that the regional forum will be able to solve the problems of people and ensure their progress.