A massive beach cleaning drive and a visit to various facilities of the Visakhapatnam port will be the highlights for the delegates attending the two-day port conclave of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sector Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) beginning November 7.
Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh L. Mandaviya will inaugurate the conclave being organised for the first time ever since the formation of BIMSTEC in 1997 to strengthen bilateral ties among the seven member-countries.
VPT Chairman K. Rama Mohan Rao told The Hindu after reviewing the arrangements with Deputy Chairman P.L. Haranadh and other officials that all arrangements were complete to host the conference.
Brainstorming sessions would be held and several MoUs signed on Day One. The beach cleaning campaign under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and visit to the port’s facilities would be on the concluding day. The Union Minister would take part in the beach cleaning operation.
Top brass from the Krishnapatnam, Dhamra, Gangavaram and other ports were invited to the conference. The thrust would be to discuss and share experiences in increasing productivity, availing investment opportunities, development of free trade zones, development of tourism and measures required for better safety and security.
Ease of Doing Business and sharing of expertise and emulation of best practices would form part of the deliberations.
Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan are the member-nations.
