The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

President Zillur Rahman left here yesterday for Turkey on a six-day official visit to attend the Economic Summit of COMCEC (Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation) of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in Istanbul on November 9.

An Emirates Airline flight, which carrying President Zillur Rahman will have a stop over in Dubai Friday and left for Istanbul on Saturday. The flight took off at 11.15 on Friday morning.

Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhit, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Dean of the diplomatic corps, Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh, Cabinet Secretary, chiefs of three services, and high civil and military officials were present at the airport to saw the President off.

During the visit, President Zillur Rahman is expected to address the COMCEC economic summit, which will be attended by a number of heads of the state of OIC member countries to mark the 25th anniversary of COMCEC.

COMCEC Chairman and President of Turkey Abdullah Gul will preside over the summit.

In his speech, President Zillur Rahman is expected to raise issues related to adverse affects of the climate change and various challenges of ongoing global economic crisis.

The President will also hold bilateral talks with heads of different OIC member-states including Turkey and Jordan on the sidelines of the summit.

The Bangladesh president will also attend a lunch hosted by the Turkish President and a dinner hosted by the Bangladesh Ambassador to Turkey.

The COMCEC meetings are traditionally held with the participation of the ministers of the OIC member-states in charge of economy and trade. This year, in commemoration of its 25th anniversary, the COMCEC has arranged the economic summit, which will be participated by a number of heads of state for the first time.