Sources in the Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation said Bangla-desh suggested that it should be given special treatment in view of revenue losses stemming from free trade and its narrow manufacturing base.

They pointed out that no other regional economic grouping contained such a provision.

They hoped that the Phuket meeting would facilitate more effective economic integration of the LDCs in BIMST-EC and bridge the development gap between member-nations.

On top of the BIMST-EC meeting at the level of foreign and commerce ministers in the Thai sea resort is the free trade area (FTA) which is likely to be signed there.

To ensure that FTA is implemented in right earnest, the meeting is also expected to take up strengthening of transport links among BIMST-EC countries.

A rail link between New Delhi and Hanoi and enhanced shipping links are likely to figure in the talks, the sources said.

India's state-owned firm RITES has been given the task of preparing a feasibility study for revival of a 315 km rail track between India and Myanmar.

Among other issues likely to come up at the meeting is a proposal to introduce a business card that will allow easier travel for businessmen between BIMST-EC countries.

The grouping will review progress in cooperation in six high-priority areas of cooperation identified when it was set up in June 1997. Among the areas are trade and investment, energy, fisheries, transport and communications, technology and tourism. The Phuket meeting will also touch on promotion of tourism among member-countries with the initiative taken by India.

The Indian cabinet last night approved the signing of the FTA accord to perk up trade and economic cooperation among the BIMST-EC nations.

The accord will "progressively liberalise and promote trade in goods and services and facilitate investment", an official spokesman told reporters after the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.