PM to attend BIMSTEC summit in Nepal

BANGKOK, Aug 30 (TNA) – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha left Bangkok for Kathmandu, Nepal to attend the 4th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit, scheduled on August 30-31. During the Summit, the Prime Minister will have bilateral meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli of Nepal, said Lt. Gen. Werachon Sukondhapatipak, Deputy Government Spokesperson. The 4th BIMSTEC Summit will be held under the theme “Towards a Peaceful, Prosperous and Sustainable Bay of Bengal Region”. BIMSTEC leaders will sign three agreements under the BIMSTEC framework: 1) MoU for the Establishment of the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection; 2) MOA on the Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility; and 3) MoU Cooperation between Diplomatic Academies of BIMSTEC Member States. The Leaders will also adopt the 4th BIMSTEC Summit Declaration which will underline future direction of BIMSTEC and tangible results of the cooperation such as multi-dimensional connectivity, trade and investment promotion, and establishment of Bay of Bengal / BIMSTEC Development Fund. BIMSTEC comprises seven member states namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Thailand is scheduled to take over BIMSTEC chairmanship in 2020. (TNA)