KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the government had already begun preparations to hold the 4th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation Summit (BIMSTEC Summit) in Nepal in 2017.

Receiving the BIMSTEC Secretary General Sumith Nakandala at his residence in Baluwatar today, the Prime Minister said the Cabinet had already made a decision to hold the Summit in Nepal this year.

Dahal said Nepal would like to discuss connectivity, energy and economic development among other agendas in the Summit.

In response, Nakandala endorsed that the agendas suggested would serve interests of the BIMSTEC member states.

Nepal is the current chair of the regional body.

Meanwhile, Nakandala said he was interested in extending support to Nepal in the development of the Buddha's birthplace, Lumbini.