Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith leaves Dhaka on Sunday for Bangkok to join the 68th Commission Session of ESCAP under the theme, “Growing Together: Economic Integration for an Inclusive and Sustainable Asia- Pacific Century”.  
 
During the tour, the finance minister will attend the inaugural session of the ministerial segment on May 21. The session will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Thailand at the United Nations Conference Centre, Rajadamern Nok Avenue, Bangkok. 
The annual session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) comprises two parts: the Senior Officials Segment from May 17 to 19 May in preparation for the Ministerial Segment, which will be held from May 21 to 23.
After the opening session, he will also attend ministerial roundtable on “Growing Togethewr: Economic Integration for an Inclusive and Sustainable Asia-Pacific Century”, join high-level dialogue in MDGs and make a brief on Bangladesh’s good achievement on MDGs and participate in a bilateral meeting with Joe Nakano, head of delegation of the Japan and parliamentarty vice-minister for foreign affairs.
According to the ESCAP, the session will review the current status and potential of regional economic integration in Asia and the Pacific and examine policy choices for enhancing it through a comprehensive and broader framework for regional cooperation. It examines the criticality, potential and opportunities for regional economic cooperation and integration in the region in the post-crisis scenario, emphasizing the importance of complementarities between the region’s economies on May 22.
Mr. Muhith also join high-level panel on “Steering Inclusive Development through Global Turbulence and Volatility” and policy issues for the Asia-Pacific Region (Country statement). 
The minister will return home on May 23.
 
BBN/SSR/AD-20May12-6:47 am (BST)