Aziz Al Zaman, Rangpur: The government will extend all-out support to help take handicrafts produced by rural women to international markets, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said.He said handicrafts made by women in rural areas have considerable demand in foreign markets and that appropriate government assistance would be provided to expand their export opportunities.The minister also praised the members of various cooperatives formed under the Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB), saying they are becoming self-reliant through their own initiatives and hard work. Their progress, he said, is playing an important role in the country’s economic development.He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a programme held at the auditorium of the Rangpur District Shilpakala Academy on Monday morning (July 27). The event marked the inauguration of the BRDB divisional office in Rangpur and the distribution of saplings, small and entrepreneurial loans, and incentive cheques among beneficiaries.Highlighting the government’s special focus on women’s education, Minister Mirza Fakhrul said various effective measures have been taken to ensure higher education opportunities for women. As a result, women are getting access to free education up to the undergraduate level, he said.Emphasising the importance of technical education in reducing unemployment, he said demand for skilled workers in the international labour market is increasing steadily.“Unemployed youths should receive technical training and take advantage of employment opportunities abroad,” he said, adding that skilled employment would not only improve their financial conditions but also enable them to make a significant contribution to the national economy.Speaking about development in the Rangpur region, the minister said agricultural hubs would be established in the area to increase farmers’ incomes and ensure proper storage of agricultural products.He said the government has also taken a range of initiatives to make locally produced goods more export-oriented.Addressing businesspeople, the minister called for developing a mindset focused on investment in productive sectors. The government, he assured, would provide the necessary support in this regard.He expressed the hope that increased production and investment would accelerate the overall socio-economic development of the Rangpur region.Highlighting various public welfare initiatives, the minister said the government is working relentlessly to improve the living standards of ordinary people.He mentioned programmes including farmers’ cards, agricultural loan waivers, family cards and canal excavation, saying these initiatives are expected to contribute significantly to the country’s overall development.Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Secretary Mohang Shawkat Rashid Chowdhury, who chaired the programme, said improving the quality of life of rural people remains the government’s primary objective.He said unemployed rural men and women are being brought under various technical and skills-based training programmes to create opportunities for self-employment.He urged BRDB officials and employees to ensure that the benefits of the board’s projects reach people effectively at the grassroots level.BRDB Director General AKM Tarek, Rangpur-3 lawmaker Mahbubar Rahman Belal, reserved women’s seat-336 lawmaker Rejeka Sultana, Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam, Rangpur Development Authority Chairman Md Samsuzzaman Samu, Rangpur Range DIG Aminul Islam, Rangpur District Council Administrator Md Saiful Islam, among others, also spoke at the programme.Earlier, the minister inaugurated the BRDB Rangpur Divisional Office.Later, he inaugurated the three-day Pallimela 2026 at the Rangpur Central Shaheed Minar premises.During the programme, saplings, small and entrepreneurial loans, and incentive cheques for adolescent girls were distributed among beneficiaries.Government officials, entrepreneurs, teachers and students, representatives of different professions, and journalists attended the event. The three-day rural fair features 29 stalls showcasing various products and initiatives. The fair will remain open daily from 10:00am to 7:00pm.