Valley
PM says summit will propel economic cooperation and regional connectivity
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday apprised Parliament about the fourth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) that is taking place in Kathmandu on August 30 and 31.Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday apprised Parliament about the fourth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) that is taking place in Kathmandu on August 30 and 31.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday afternoon, PM Oli informed the lawmakers about the preparations and importance about the BIMSTEC meet.
This is the first regional-level summit organised by the new government after the implementation and conduction of three-tier of elections, he said. “We started preparations for the BIMSTEC meet after the formation of new government.”
Saying that the summit is going to be held under the theme of ‘Towards Peaceful, Prosperous and Sustainable Bay of Bengal Region, PM Oli expressed hope that this summit will expand economic cooperation and connectivity—railways, transportation, energy and airways. “Though BIMSTEC should be held every two years, we are holding the meet for the fourth time, albeit it has been 20 years since BIMSTEC was established,” the PM said. This summit has integrated two more priority sectors—Blue Economy and Mountain Economy—to 14 that BIMSTEC already has.
PM Oli, who is also the co-chair of the ruling Nepal Communist party (NCP), said the issues related to trade, connectivity, environment and campaign against organised crime will top the agendas at thie summit that will also draw up a BIMSTEC charter.
He said the summit gives an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations between Nepal and India and relations with other countries. He also briefed Parliament that the visiting heads of government and state from BIMSTEC member countries will hold a meeting with President Bidya Devi Bhandari.
PM Oli expressed hope the summit would help the government of Nepal to coordinate and cooperate with member countries to eliminate poverty.
On the occasion, he also informed Parliament what his government has achieved in six months. The BIMSTEC meet was kicked off in Thailand in 1997, followed by India in 2008, Myanmar (2014).
Myanmar’s prez arrives
KATHMANDU: The heads of the state/government of the BIMSTEC member states started arriving in Kathmandu from Tuesday. President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Win Myint, has arrived to take part in the fourth Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
The Myanmar President landed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on a special aircraft. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Ishwor Pokharel, was at the TIA VVIP lounge to receive the dignitary from Myanmar.
A contingent of Nepal Army presented a guard of honour to the Myanmar President. He was welcomed by Bhim K Udas, the Nepali Ambassador to Myanmar, the Myanmar’s Ambassador to Nepal and senior officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He will meet President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister KP Oli on Thursday.
The foreign ministers of the seven member countries landed in the Capital on Tuesday to attend the ministerial-level meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
Other heads of the state/government will arrive on Wednesday, except for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi is set to arrive on Thursday-morning. (PR)