Yunus asks for BIMSTEC youth festival

BANGKOK, Apr 4 (BSS): Chief Adviser (CA) Professor Muhammad Yunus has suggested BIMSTEC secretariat to take initiative for a BIMSTEC youth festival to enhance the engagement among the young boys and girls of member states.

Prof Yunus gave the directives to BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey soon after assuming the role of new BIMSTEC chairman in Bangkok on Friday.

Mani, a former Indian diplomat, called on the Chief Adviser at the end of the summit to discuss the future initiatives of the organisation.

Prof Yunus also asked Mani to ensure a separate youth gathering during BIMSTEC next summit in Dhaka after two years.

"We should have a separate meeting for youth when BIMSTEC leaders meet. This will bring young people of member countries together," he noted.

"Also, BIMSTEC should hold a youth festival where each country will do their part and one country will take the lead. Youth festival will again bring young boys and girls together," the CA said.

Mani welcomed the ideas and pledged to work on the matter.

The CA also inquired about the status of the negotiations on Free Trade Agreement among the member states.

The BIMSTEC secretary general informed the CA that they were working to hold a meeting of commerce and trade ministers of member countries, which had not been held in 21 years, with the last such meeting taking place in 2004.