10th BIMSTEC Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM)
&
8th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting
18-19 December 2005, Dhaka, Bangladesh

The Secretariat will make arrangements for the BIMSTEC SOM in cooperation with the embassies of the BIMSTEC countries in Dhaka.

Sectoral/Sub-sectoral Progress Report(s) since the 9th Intercessional SOM of BIMSTEC and other relevant documents for documentation of the 10th BIMSTEC Senior Officials' Meeting may kindly be sent to the above address by fax and by electronic mail no later than 5 December 2005.

2. Venue: Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

3. Accommodation:

Reservation will be made for one Executive Suite for the Leaders of the Ministerial delegation and for one Junior Suite for the Leaders of the SOM. One (single) Room will be provided to each delegation, as per the agreed norms of local hospitality, at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh.

For other members of the delegations, respective Embassy/High Commission will make the necessary arrangements. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may please be informed of the composition of delegation, their itinerary and their accommodation particulars (room numbers) as soon as possible.

For reservation at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, the following could be contacted:

Assistant Sales Director
Sheraton Hotel, Dhaka 1000
Tel: 8802- 8653636 Ext.4152 Fax: 8802-8312975
e-mail: Mahfuzur.Rahman@sheraton-dhaka.com

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh has negotiated the following rooms rates for the BIMSTEC delegates:

Deluxe Room (Single): US$ 136 per room per night with Buffet Breakfast
Deluxe Room (Double): US$ 152 per room per night with Buffet Breakfast
Junior Suite: US$ 160 per room per night with Buffet Breakfast

The above room rates are net, inclusive of service charges and taxes. Check in time is 1200 hrs.

Each delegate, except those being covered by local hospitality, would be responsible for their expenses in regard to the hotel rooms and any other services provided by the hotel.

Dinner: Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh will host a Dinner for the SOM leaders and delegates on 17th December 2005 evening.

4. Hospitality:

The Bangladesh Government will extend local hospitality to the Leader of the Ministerial Delegation, the Leader of the SOM and one additional delegate from each delegation.

The local hospitality will not include bar charges, international calls, laundry charges, telexes, faxes and any other services within the hotel.

5. Airport Assistance:

Respective Embassies in Dhaka would receive and see off their respective delegations. A representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be present at the Zia International Airport.

6. Transportation:

One car will be provided to the SOM leader (for 17-20 December 2005). Another vehicle will be provided to the Leader of the Delegation to the Ministerial Meeting (for 18-20 December 2005).

7. Documents:

Delegates are requested to bring sufficient copies of documents that they may wish to distribute during the Meetings. Delegates are also requested to submit inputs in advance for agenda items to the Secretariat in order to reproduce in sufficient number for distribution.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh will prepare and circulate the Report of the SOM and the Ministerial Meeting after the meetings.

8. Identification:

All delegates and secretariat staff will be issued with identification cards.

All participants are requested to cooperate by displaying their identification cards at all times.
Each delegation member is requested to send the completed Registration Form (as enclosed) to the Secretariat, no later than 5 December 2005. The forms, duly filled in and signed, may be forwarded through respective local Missions or, directly to the Secretariat (by fax/e-mail).

9. Contacts for Delegation:

Each delegation is requested to notify one official who could be contacted for various Meetings' related requirements.

10. Meeting/Working Room:

There will be one Documentation/Bangladesh Delegation Room and one room for other delegations at the Hotel.

11. Miscellaneous:

Exchange rate: One US$ 1 = Taka 67 (approx). Foreign exchange service is available at airport, banks and hotels.
Weather: Its early winter season in Dhaka during mid December. Average temperature will be between 11 C - 25 C.
Time: GMT+6 hrs.

Language: Bangla; English is widely used.
Usual Business hours: 0900-1700 hrs. (Sunday-Thursday)

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° STEOM

° TMM