Sri Lanka Invites Malaysia To Join Bay Of Bengal Economic Caucus - Malaysian DPM

From R. Ravichandran COLOMBO, July 22 (Bernama) -- Sri Lanka has invited Malaysia to become a member of the Bay of Bengal Economic Caucus, said Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said the proposal was voiced out during his courtesy call on Sri Lanka President, Maithripala Sirisena Thursday as well as Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe Friday. "They will initiate a meeting at the country leaders and government level so that the caucus will involve Malaysia and several other countries," he said. Ahmad Zahid said he believed a new economic development would be created at the Bay of Bengal basin through this caucus. Replying to a question, the deputy prime minister said he would bring this proposal to the Foreign Ministry and also the Economic Planning Unit and the Prime Minister's Department to study Malaysia's participation. "I am confident this is a new proposal which directly could expand our market and that of the members of this caucus," he said to Malaysian journalists at the end of a two-day working visit to the island nation here, Friday. -- BERNAMA