Inaugurating the Centenary Celebrations Programmes of Co-operatives in Bangladesh, she said her government is working to eradicate poverty and create employment opportunities through cooperatives according to her election commitment.

She said cooperatives have been playing an important role in attaining the "Millennium Development Goal" to reduce poverty by half within 2015 and also in implementing the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).

The prime minister urged the cooperative societies and their members to help adopt modern methods of cultivation, massive application of high quality seeds and chemical fertilizer, proper use of pesticides, irrigation system as well as in creation of capital through small savings and shares.

The function was addressed among others by LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, State Minister Ziaul Huq Zia and Secretary in-charge of the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Hedayetul Islam Chowdhury.

Khaleda said about four crore people of the country are now involved directly or indirectly with the cooperatives.

She assured of all necessary support to help implement the realistic programmes of the co-operative associations for improving the fate of the people.

The prime minister urged all concerned to evaluate the successes and failures of the 100 years accomplishment of cooperatives in Bangladesh and to fix up the strategy immediately for advancing the cooperatives movement inspired with success and lessons from the failures.

She said Bangladesh is a partner of various regional and international initiatives.

She also said her government has its own development roadmap and programmes to advance the country, ensure welfare for its people and progress of the society.