The LGRD and cooperatives adviser, M Anwarul Iqbal, on Wednesday urged the CIRDAP member countries to create a common fund to arrange more training and research on rural development. He made the call while presenting a country paper at a ministerial meeting of the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific in New Delhi, according to a message received in Dhaka. The adviser said the LGRD and cooperatives ministry of Bangladesh in cooperation with government and non-government institutions had been playing a leading role in establishing institutional network for rural development. He said various projects were underway for overall rural development, including creating employment opportunities and taking skill development programmes for the vulnerable rural women for their empowerment.