DHAKA: A panel of economists will sit with the government Monday with the draft of the 6th five-year plan in the Planning Commission to design the country’s development recipe aimed at a faster growth.

The 6th five-year plan for 2011-2015 period targets raise in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 8 per cent, a competent source at the Planning Commission said.

The draft plan also envisages collection of resources from the internal sources and attracting investment.  

Economist Dr. Wahid Uddin Mahmud heads the panel of experts in economics and finance.

The draft, prepared by the govermnet-appointed private think tank Policy Research Institute (PRI), targets reduction of poverty to 32 percent from the existing level of 42 percent during the plan period.

Target has also been set to increase public and private investment to 30 percent during the period, which is now 24 percent of the GDP.

The share of agriculture in GDP has been set at 16 per cent, industries 30 per cent and services sectors 54 per cent, said the source.

The PRI submitted the draft on July 7 to the government.

Sources in the General Economic Division (GED) of the Planning Commission said the final draft of the plan will be prepared by the GED by September as per advice of the economic panel. It will be finalized by December.   
 
The GED sources also said education has been given top priority followed by investment in infrastructure.

Emphasis has been given on social security, agriculture, environment and private investment.

Sources also informed that the sectors that received priority in the election manifesto of the ruling Awami League would be on priority during implementation of the plan.

Assuming office, the present government has decided to reintroduce five-year plan replacing the donor-driven Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).

BDST/ 1620 HRS, JULY 17,2010.