DHAKA: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is set to organize the inaugural ceremony of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Secretariat on 13 September at the Secretariat premises at Gulshan-2 in city.

External Publicity Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release regarding the matter.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka on Saturday (13 September).

The Prime Minister will also unveil a commemorative stamp to mark the occasion, it added

The release also said, “A Special Supplement will be published in the local English and Bengali dailies which will contain messages from the Heads of State/Government of the BIMSTEC Member States. 

The Cabinet Members, Secretaries to the Government including Heads of diplomatic corps and international organizations in Dhaka have been invited to the program.

BIMSTEC, established on 6 June 1997 in Bangkok, is the first headquarter of any inter-governmental organization in Bangladesh. 

The Secretariat is expected to enhance the image of Bangladesh to the international community and deepen mutual understanding and cooperation with the BIMSTEC Member States.

BIMSTEC started its journey with only four participating members and six areas of cooperation. Presently it has seven Member States (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka & Thailand) and fourteen areas of cooperation.

BDST: 2120 HRS, SEP 11, 2014