In order to lessen the huge gap, poor countries do not have enough capability that is needed to reach the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals), he said, speaking on internal resource mobilisation for development of Bangladesh.

He was addressing Governing Council meeting of the International Fund for Agriculture Development (Ifad), a Rome-based UN agency, according to a message received here.

President of Uganda, prime minister of Belgium and ministers from different regions attended the inaugural session of the two-day meet (16-17 February 2005) in Rome.

The minister led a two-member Bangladesh delegation, accompanied by ambassador and PR to Ifad, Anwarul Bar Chowdhury.

This year's theme of panel discussion was "Achieving the Millennium Development Goals: Rural Investment and Enabling Policy".

The session re-elected Lennart Bage of Sweden current president of the Ifad for another term. Jannes Hutagalung of Indonesia lost the election.

Saifur called upon the donors to increase their contributions to agencies explicitly mandated to fight poverty and hunger.

He also stressed the need for strengthening the Ifad, known for its anti-poverty programmes worldwide, so that it would dispense its responsibility effectively.

Despite some progress, the aggregate poverty rates remain very high extreme poverty, mostly seasonal, still persists in some rural areas, Saifur added.

He said Bangladesh is well ahead on the path towards reducing poverty and is 'on track' on a number of targets like reducing child mortality, expanding primary and secondary education and reducing gender disparity.

Saifur stressed waging fight against poverty on all fronts and appreciated the role of Ifad in this regard.

Touching upon the success story of Bangladesh in poverty eradication, he highlighted the homegrown Poverty Reduction Strategy being pursued by the present government.

He also pointed out the disappointing trends like dwindling investment in agricultural and rural sector, lack of focus by foreign investors on agricultural sector and consequent inability of the poor countries to get to the MDGs. In this context, he highlighted Bangladesh's progress towards MDGs.

The minister assured the council meeting that the Ifad would always find Bangladesh a supporting partner in achieving its laudable missions of fighting poverty in all its dimensions.