Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday emphasised the implementation of the Bimstec Master Plan for transport connectivity for the greater benefit of the Bimstec region.
The Foreign Minister reiterated that connectivity can play a vital role in accelerating the pace of economic development of the Bimstec region through the facilitation of trade and investment, tourism promotion and people-to-people contacts.
He received the newly appointed Secretary-General of Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) at his office and said Bangladesh wants the Father of the Nation’s dream of regional cooperation to be fulfilled through the Bimstec process.
Dr Momen hoped that the newly-appointed Secretary-General of Bimstec, Tenzin Lekphell, will be able to play a pivotal role as a bridge among Member States for thriving hard to achieving the goals.
He laid emphasis on the early conclusion and implementation of necessary agreements, MoUS, and other required legal documents in these sectors to ensure the overall development and wellbeing of the peoples of Bimstec region.
Dr. Momen said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman back in 1972 expressed his dream of economic and social prosperity of the South Asian peoples through working with the neighbours in the region.
Since then, he said, regional cooperation has been an integral component of the Constitution and Foreign Policy priorities of Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, daughter of the Father of the Nation, attaches high importance to the Bimstec Forum as a tool of regional movement which is manifested in hosting the Bimstec Secretariat in Dhaka, he said.
By the instruction of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took an initiative to construct a new multi-storied iconic building for the Bimstec Secretariat, he added.
The Foreign Minister expressed pleasure on Tenzin Lekphell’s appointment as the third Secretary-General of Bimstec nominated by Bhutan, the first country to recognise Bangladesh as an independent country.
He welcomed him in Bangladesh and assured him of extending all sorts of support from the government of Bangladesh during his tenure here.
