Kathmandu, August 30
The fourth summit of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation is beginning in Kathmandu today.
The grand meeting will discuss various issues as mentioned in the agenda finalised by a meeting of foreign affairs ministers of all member states including Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Sri Lanka.
It has been learning that signing a memorandum of understanding for grid interconnection is the most significant item of the agenda. In particular, Nepal is expected to reap benefits from the agreement as it will pave the way for selling electricity upto Myanmar and Thailand.
Meanwhile, the meeting chaired by Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumari Gyawali also finalised the draft of Kathmandu Declaration. The draft highlights joint efforts needed for poverty alleviation, inter-regional trade and investment, combating climate change and security among others.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, as the chief executive of the current chair of the regional body, will inaugurate the summit in the afternoon at Hotel Soaltee of Kathmandu.
The summit will be attended by Oli, Bhutanese Chief Advisor Dasho Tshering Wangchuk, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Burmese President Win Myint, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.
