PM places 6-pt proposal for Bimstec states\\\' dev

Prime Minster Sheikh Haisna on Saturday placed a 6-point-proposal, including those for poverty alleviation and facing climate change challenges, for the consideration of Bimstec member states in the greater interest of this region. She placed the 6 proposals while speaking at the inaugural programme of Bimstec Secretariat in Dhaka. 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 the overall development and progress of this region.’ Stressing the need for poverty alleviation, the Prime Minister said, ‘All economic progress can be achieved through facing the challenges together.’ She said Bimstec should make operational the ‘Framework Agreement on Bimstec FTA’ signed a decade ago. Following is her 6-point-proposal: thoughts on poverty alleviation, cooperation in agriculture sector, making effective the ‘Framework Agreement on Bimstec  Free Trade Area’, improvement of the regional connectivity, cooperation in energy sector and united efforts to face the challenges of climate change, according to a news agency.