Prime Minster Sheikh Haisna placed on Saturday a six-point proposal, including those for poverty alleviation and facing climate change challenges, for consideration of BIMSTEC member states in the greater interest of this region, reports UNB.
The Prime Minster placed the six proposals while speaking at a function marking inauguration of the BIMSTEC Secretariat in the city.
Putting emphasis on taking pragmatic and realistic approach for reaching the desired goal, Sheikh Hasina said: "The success of BIMSTEC is very much important for overall development and progress of this region."
She placed six of her thoughts on poverty alleviation, cooperation in the agriculture sector, making effective the 'Framework Agreement on Bimstec Free Trade Area', improvement of the regional connectivity, cooperation in the energy sector and united efforts to face the challenges arising out of climate change.
Stressing the need for poverty alleviation, the Prime Minister said: "All economic progress can be achieved through facing the challenges together."
Hasina proposed bolstering cooperation in agriculture as the majority of the people of this region depend on agriculture as it is the main source of employment, and ensuring food security for all.
BIMSTEC should make operational the 'Framework Agreement on Bimstec FTA' signed a decade ago, she added.
"Despite the agreement on goods trade being at the final stage, the agreements on other issues like service trade and investment protection still remains at a very initial stage. These agreements should be signed quickly for economic harmony of the region," she said.
Stressing the importance of developing communication system, the Prime Minister said the underdeveloped communication system was one of the main barriers to economic development of this region.
Hasina also proposed strengthening cooperation in the areas of energy for sustainable development of the Bimstec member countries. "Bimstec is a huge potential area for hydropower in the Himalaya basin and hydrocarbon in the Bay of Bengal, Bimstec nations have to work together to tap the potential and build up energy security in this region."
