PM begins 3-nation visit today

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today begins her tri-nation visit to Russia, Belgium and Japan for 12 days.
She will leave for Russia tonight to attend a Tiger's Conference in St Petersburg on November 22-23, official sources said.
Though this is not a bilateral visit, the premier will have talks with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Tiger's Conference. The two leaders are expected to discuss different issues including setting up of a nuclear power plant at Rooppur.
During her stay in St Petersburg, Sheikh Hasina is expected to have talks with several heads of government of participating countries. She will join a high-level discussion on Natural Habitat of Tigers and address a session on the issue.
Hasina will join a lunch to be hosted by the Russian premier in honour of the participating delegates and visit the office of honorary consul general of Bangladesh in St Petersburg.
On November 24, Hasina will fly to Brussels where she will meet the Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leteme on November 25.
Sheikh Hasina will also have meetings with President of European Union Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso.
Discussions with the European leaders will mainly focus on trade and investment, EU support to Bangladesh for climate change mitigation, and international issues of common concern.
She will leave Brussels for Frankfurt on November 27 and reach Narita International Airport on November 28.
During her four-day official visit to Japan from November 28-December 1, Hasina will hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan and also have an audience with Japan Emperor Akihito. Bangladesh and Japan will sign several agreements on economic cooperation during this visit.
Bangladesh is expecting an assurance from the Japan government that Japan will fund the long-cherished Padma Bridge.
Sources said she will address a number of investment conferences and hold meetings with representatives of Japan International Cooperation Agency, Japan External Trade Organisation, and Japan Bank for International Cooperation to discuss investment, economic cooperation and development issues.
She will also address a meeting at the Peace Park in Hiroshima and lay the foundation of a Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo.
In an announcement on November 16, Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Hasina's visit to Japan will strengthen the friendly relation between the two countries.
A 42-member entourage including her security personnel, media team, PMO officials and five eminent personalities including four AL men will accompany her in Russia while the number of entourage members in Belgium will be 31.
A 97 members' team including a 41-member business delegation will accompany her to Japan. Most of them will leave Dhaka on November 26.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, prime minister's advisers Alauddin Ahmed and Masihur Rahman, Ambassador-at-Large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary of the prime minister M Abdul Karim, Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes will be in the team.
Besides, seven party men as eminent citizens will accompany her in Japan.
As per the tradition, the members of the business delegation bear all their expenses including the travel cost.