DHAKA, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh will become a middle-income country in 10 years' time with the determination of self sustainability, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said here Sunday.

    Talking to media at a press conference held here Sunday evening, Ban said he visited a micro-credit project in Bangladesh Sunday morning and was extremely moved by the tremendous efforts by the people of Bangladesh to attain self empowerment.

    The UN chief lauded the changes and achievements made by the Bangladeshi governments and people in decades.

    He said Bangladesh has made achievements in economic growth, poverty reduction, family planning, getting girls into schools and reducing mortality during the last 30 years.

    "I visited Bangladesh 33 years ago, I am very much impressed by the changes in the country during this visit," he said.

    Ban praised Bangladesh's effort on disaster management, saying Bangladesh is an example to the world community on how a vulnerable developing country can strengthen its resilience against recurrent natural disasters.

    However, he said, the rising food prices could affect growth and living standards in Bangladesh.

    "The global financial crisis threatens the world's most vulnerable people, many of them in Southeast Asia," he added.

    Ban called the industrialized countries to honor their commitments to UN's Millennium Development Goals.

    "I promise you that I will push hard next month at the conference on financing for development in Doha," he said.

    Ban Ki-moon arrived in Bangladesh on Saturday for a 2-day visit. He met with Bangladeshi President Iajuddin Ahmed, Bangladeshi caretaker government Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, Bangladeshi Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Army Chief General Moeen Ahmed and leaders from the major parties.

    Bangladesh is the third leg of Ban's South Asian 3-nation visit following India and Nepal.