Prominent business leaders and concerned persons from China and the South Asian nations, including Bangladesh, said this on the first day of the two-day China-South Asia Business Forum meeting here yesterday.

They said the "Kunming Initiative" that was launched in 1995 here and followed up with several meetings in the South Asian countries must reach its destination by achieving the objectives of manifold development in socio-economic areas through cooperative efforts among the countries of this most populous region of the globe.

A 12-member strong Bangladesh delegation headed by President of the FBCCI Abdul Awal Mintoo is taking pazt in the meeting of the forum, which is expected to give suggestions and guidelines in attaining the goals of the forum ahead of the next Saarc summit in Dhaka early next month.

Organised by China Council for Promotion of International Trade, Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the government of Yunnan province of China, the first day of the meeting discussed the potentials of the cooperation that can give enormous benefits to the people of China and South Asia.

This "Kunming Initiative" was launched in |he interest of the Yunnan province government and was supported by the central government of China.

Shen Guo Fang, assistant minister for foreign affairs of China, attended the inaugural session and said his country is eager to further develop ties with the South Asian region for enhancing economic and business benefits for the people of the region.

Bangladesh Ambassador to China Ashfaqur Rahman also spoke outlining the government policy and interest in this regard.

Among others, Pakistan's State Minister for Commerce Tariq Ekram, Saarc Chamber President Mackey Hashim of Sri Lanka, Xu Rongkai, governor of the Yunnan province, and senior diplomats from Saarc countries, including India, Nepal and Bhutan, spoke.

Abdul Awal Mintoo in his speech explained the benefits of China-South Asia cooperation and mentioned Dhaka-Beijing bilateral economic and othez ties that are growing steadily to the satisfaction of both the countries.

He said commercial ties between the two countries are on the increase, but exports from Bangladesh need to be geared up further.

The Bangladesh delegation includes FBCCI directors Bazlur Rahman and Aminul Huq and Saarc Chamber member Mirza Sayed.

In this kity of "Eternal Spring," anothez meeting is also taking place simultaneously under the banner of Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM) which is being attended by their academics and experts to give an impetus to the cooperation among these countries.