FOCUS-Five Asian states agree to bo

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Subject: FOCUS-Five Asian states agree to boost cooperation

FOCUS-Five Asian states agree to boost cooperation
07:41 a.m. Dec 19, 1998 Eastern
DHAKA, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Junior ministers from Bangladesh India, Myanmar,
Sri Lanka and Thailand met in Dhaka on Saturday to discuss cooperation in
trade, energy, tourism and communications.

``The meeting reached consensus on a number of proposals for economic
cooperation, which would be implemented soon,'' Abul Hasan Chowdhury,
Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs told reporters after the
meeting.

The five countries around the rim of the Bay of Bengal formed the
sub-regional grouping in 1997.

The meeting discussed areas of cooperation in trade, sharing of energy,
development of transportation and tourism facilities, Vasundra Raje, Indian
State Minister for External Affairs, told the joint news conference.

``The trade imbalance with India can be turned in Bangladesh's favour by
importing gas and other resources in energy sector,'' she said.

Bangladesh has plenty of natural gas and attracted huge foreign investment
in the sector.

Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad, opening the day-long conferenfce, said
the private sector of the member countries should take the initiative of
investment in priority sectors like trade, tourism, energy, and road and
rail communications.

``The private sector will be a primary vehicle for channeling cooperation,
while the respective governments will play a supportive role,'' he said.

Myanmar is totally committed to work together in the grouping for economic
development including construction of roads to link the country with member
states, U Khin Maung Win, deputy foreign minister of Myanmar said.

He said a road was being constructed to link India with Myanmar. But to
connect Bangladesh with a 70 mile (112 km) road, some 200 bridges over
creeks and rivers would need to be built.

``The challenges and pressures imposed on the Bay of Bengal rim countries
could be averted with regional cooperation for which Sri Lanka was fully
committed,'' Lakshman Kiriella, deputy foreign minister of Sri Lanka said.