BIMSTEC summit ends

The third summit of BIMSTEC has ended in Myanmar with the call to achieve collective prosperity for the seven member nations of South and South-east Asia. The summit ended on Tuesday with the handover of hammer to the Nepal Prime Minister. The summit began at 8.30am local time Tuesday at the Myanmar International Convention Centre in the capital Nay Pyi Taw. The Myanmar President delivered his speech welcoming the heads of the state and government of the seven countries. He stressed the need for combining strengths and resources under the banner of BIMSTEC to engage with other international bodies in addressing challenges of climate change, natural disaster, energy and food security. BIMSTEC or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation is a regional grouping of seven members from South Asia – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka – and South East Asia –Thailand and Myanmar. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Indian Prime Minister Mahmohan Singh, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Thailand’s Special envoy and Permanent Secretary of BIMSTEC Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Observer ADB Extended Mission Head at Myanmer Putu Kamayana attended the summit. Three agreements were signed in the summit, according to bdnews24.com.