UNB, Dhaka :
Prime Minster Sheikh Haisna on Saturday placed a six-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.
The Prime Minister placed the six proposals while speaking at the inaugural programme of 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 the overall development and progress of this region.”
She placed six of her 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.
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 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 is 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 underdeveloped communication system is 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.”
The Prime Minister also laid emphasis on united efforts of the Bimstec counties on climate change issues and other challenges relating to natural disasters.
She proposed that the member states will have to build a strong partnership to face the challenges and expand more cooperation in the areas of security, tourism and technology.
The organization is important in increasing mutual cooperation and understanding among the neighbouring countries, she said.
Terming Bimstec as a bridge between South and South-East Asia, the Prime Minister said, it represents a group of countries with unique blending of commonalities and diversities.
The shared historical and cultural linkages have brought the nations in the region closer, the PM said adding that many common challenges and enormous opportunities provide the impetus for a stronger collaboration.
Prime Minster Sheikh Haisna on Saturday placed a six-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.
The Prime Minister placed the six proposals while speaking at the inaugural programme of 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 the overall development and progress of this region.”
She placed six of her 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.
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 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 is 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 underdeveloped communication system is 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.”
The Prime Minister also laid emphasis on united efforts of the Bimstec counties on climate change issues and other challenges relating to natural disasters.
She proposed that the member states will have to build a strong partnership to face the challenges and expand more cooperation in the areas of security, tourism and technology.
The organization is important in increasing mutual cooperation and understanding among the neighbouring countries, she said.
Terming Bimstec as a bridge between South and South-East Asia, the Prime Minister said, it represents a group of countries with unique blending of commonalities and diversities.
The shared historical and cultural linkages have brought the nations in the region closer, the PM said adding that many common challenges and enormous opportunities provide the impetus for a stronger collaboration.
