They criticised the formulation of Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and stressed participatory democracy, building skills and economic vibrancy to cope with globalisation.

The economic experts also called for combined efforts by the countrymen inspired by the sense of patriotism towards solving local problems.

Prof Dr M Altaf Hossain, vice chancellor (VC) of Rajshahi university (RU), attended the inaugural session of daylong regional seminar on 'Poverty Elimination: PRSP and Reality' and 'Regional Cooperation: Politics and Economics' at RU Senate Bhaban.

Eminent economist and president of Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad chaired the inaugural session.

Among others, RU Pro VC Prof Dr Mamnunul Keramat, BEA General Secretary Dr Abul Barakat, RU Economics Department Chairman Prof Abdul Quayyum Tariq, Mahmud Hossain Riazi, ANK Noman, Farid Uddin Khan as well as several teachers and students spoke.

"Instead of blaming each other, everyone should come forward and work harder for changing lives", said RU VC Prof Altaf Hossain. He stressed the need for increasing patriotism among countrymen.

'Effective and immediate steps are needed to control the menace that started eating up the bones of the national economy,' Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, also chairman of the Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad (BUP), said.

Prof Dr Abul Barakat said political criminalisation is hindering the development process. "The rate of poverty increase is higher than that of population", he said, describing ineffectiveness of PRSP in the country.