Invitations sent to heads of govt, state

Invitations have been sent to the heads of government and state of D-8 (Development Eight) countries to attend the second summit of the group scheduled to be held in Dhaka on March 1 and 2, Foreign Office sources said, reports BSS.

The invitation cards for the leaders of the member countries were despatched through their diplomatic missions here, the sources added.

The D-8 came into being in June 1997 after leaders of Bangladesh, Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey met in Istanbul for greater trade and economic relations among the members.

The invitation to the Nigerian head of state will be sent via the African country's New Delhi mission or other means.

Foreign Office sources said all countries have agreed to attend the summit.

President of Iran Syed Mohammad Khatami will attend the Dhaka Summit. The Iranian ambassador in Bangladesh informed this when he called on Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad here on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, preparations for the summit are going on in full swing.