5th BIMSTEC summit to be held in Sri Lanka under President Maithripala Sirisena

Colombo (News 1st) - The Chairmanship of the 5th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) was handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena today during the conclusion of the 4th BIMSTEC summit held in Nepal. President Maithripala Sirisena addressing the summit stated that he will steer the BIMSTEC initiative with a transparent and clear agenda. Adding to this he stated that he hopes that the members of BIMSTEC will provide their utmost support to achieve the target of BIMSTEC. The Presidents Media division said that all the heads of states' extended their well wishes to the President for his new appointment as the Chairman of the BIMSTEC. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand along with 7 other South East Asian Nations were present at the Summit that concluded today (August 31). The summit commenced with the aim of developing the Technical and Economical partnership between the nations around the Bay of Bengal region. The launch of the Kathmandu communique and the signing of the MoU on the establishment of BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection by the Foreign Ministers of member states was held today. The summit concluded under the patronage of President of Nepal. The next BIMSTEC summit will be held in Sri Lanka.