PM leaves for Myanmar

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for Myanmar on Monday morning to attend the third summit of the Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). A Biman flight carrying the Prime Minister (PM) and her entourage departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 8:00am. Cabinet members and civil and military high officials saw the premier off at the airport. After her arrival at Nay Pyi Daw, the new capital of Myanmar, Sheikh Hasina will meet Myanmar President Thein Sein at the Presidential Palace and Speaker Shwe Mann at his Parliament office. She will also meet National League for Democracy chairman Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Later, the PM will attend a gala dinner to be hosted by Myanmar President Thein Sein at the Myanmar International Convention Center II (MICCII). On Tuesday, Hasina will join a group photo session and the opening ceremony where President Thein Sein will deliver the address of welcome. A short video clip will be screened on the occasion, which will be followed by a cultural programme. Hasina may also deliver a statement there. The PM will witness the signing of MoAs, MoUs, proceed with the 3rd summit, and attend the closing of the summit, followed by a joint press conference for the heads of state and government. Three instruments– Memorandum of Association (MoA) on the Establishment of Bimstec Permanent Secretariat in Dhaka, Memorandum of Association (MoA) on the Establishment of Bimstec Centre for Weather and Climate in India and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Bimstec Culture Industries Commission and Bimstec Cultural Industries Observatory to be set up in Bhutan – are expected to be signed during the summit, according to UNB.