As many as 209 media men, including a sizeable number representing non-Saarc media organisations, have applied for covering the summit, Director General of External Publicity Zahirul Haque told newsmen yesterday.

He said BBC will cover the event by a 19-member strong team while seven newsmen from the Reuters will cover it. Press Trust of India (PTI) will send a ten-member team, he added.

Besides, New York Times, Time Magazine, Xinhua News, Al-Jajeera, AP, AFP, Kyodo news, CNBC TV, The Economist, China Central TV, DPA, NHK, Peoples Daily of China, Deutsche Welle, Swiss National Radio, Straits Times of Singapore, Khaleej Times, The Guardian, Gulf Times and German TV network will send their representatives to cover the summit of the seven nation grouping.

There will be regular briefing on the summit at Hotel Sonargaon Media Centre.