Fourth BIMSTEC Summit begins; No one will be left behind if economic dev accelerated: PM Oli

Kathmandu / Aug 30: The fourth summit of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has begun.

Chairperson of the fourth summit, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the session as the head of government of the host nation.

The Prime Minister stated that an early conclusion of the agreements on trade in goods, trade in services, investment, mutual assistance in customs matters, dispute settlement and trade facilitation is the need of hour to enable BIMSTEC to effectively move forward.

“All the Member States of BIMSTEC are connected with Buddhism in one way or the other. I underline the importance of developing and operating a Buddhist Circuit in the region to promote connectivity and tourism,” PM Oli said.

Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina Wazed, Chief Justice of Bhutan Tshering Wangchuk who is also the Chief Advisor to the intertim government of Bhutan, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, President of Myanmar Win Myint, President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-Cha are attending the summit.

The summit attended by top-dignitaries of seven member-states will focus on connectivity, poverty alleviation, trade, investment, tourism, climate change and security challenges. Other areas of discussion are strengthening and making effective the BIMSTEC secretariat, the establishment of BIMSTEC development fund, Buddhist circuit, setting up of regional centres, adoption of BIMSTEC charter and rationalisation of priority areas.

The summit will also witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnections, paving the way for trade in energy among member states.

No one will be left behind if economic dev accelerated: PM Oli

Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that BIMSTEC summit is a unique platform that will not only connect the member states but the entire south Asian regions.

Inaugurating the fourth Summit of the BIMSTEC in the Himalayan capital, Prime Minister called for cooperation among the member countries so as to accelerate the economic development saying that it will liberate the people from the clutches of poverty and no one will be left behind.

Meanwhile, Oli called for liberating people from the clutches of poverty- the brutal clutches that drag us in a vicious cycle of deprivation -inhumane, unjust and malign- that drains our potential and ridicule our efforts as well as intentions.

The mutual cooperation among the BIMSTEC nations will not only help us save our unique civilizations and diverse cultures but also make our region prosperous, said Oli.

He further said that the BIMSTEC Poverty Plan of Action must be fully implemented and must build on the progress made in the implementation of Millennium Development Goals and integrate the transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Heads of BIMSTEC member states pay courtesy call to President Bhandari

The leaders of six member countries of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) paid a joint courtesy call to President Bidya Devi Bhandari at Sheetal Niwas on Thursday.

The foreign dignitaries, who are in Kathmandu to attend the fourth edition of BIMSTEC summit, were welcomed by the President’s advisor Sushil Pyakurel and Secretary at the Office of the President Binod KC among others.

President Bhandari has organised a luncheon programme in honour of the foreign delegates prior to the commencement of the summit later today.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli among other high level government officials are present at the President’s office for the programme.

Indian PM Narendra Modi, Thailand PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina Wazed, Myanmar’s President Win Myint, Chief Advisor to the Interim Government of Bhutan Gyalpo Tshering Wangchuk and Sri Lankan President Maitripala Sirisena are attending the luncheon programme.

The delegates headed to summit venue in Soaltee Hotel from Sheetal Niwas. They will also attend a dinner reception organised by PM Oli at Hyatt Regency.