Over 200 participants from more than 28 countries and international agencies are expected to join the biggest business meet in Dhaka since the Cancun fiasco.

International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh (ICCB) is hosting the international business conference, theme of which is 'Global Economic Governance and Challenges of Multilateralism'.

Announcing the programme at a meeting with editors and senior journalists here today, ICCB president Mahbubur Rahman said Prime Minister Khaleda Zia would formally open the conference at Hotel Sonargaon.

Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra would deliver his keynote speech in the opening session.

Samsom H Chowdhury, Rashed Maksud Khan and Abul Kasem were present at the meeting at Dhaka Club.

Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Republic of Korea, Nepal, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Togo, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam and the United Kingdom have confirmed their participation in the business meet.

Secretary General of UNCTAD Rubens Ricupero and Swedish Minister for International Development and Cooperation Carin Jamtin are also expected to join the event. The United States of America, however, regretted its participation.

Those who confirmed their participation include former Indian Prime Minister IK Gujral, WTO Director General Dr Supachai Pantichpakdi, Indonesian Industry and Trade Minister Rini Sumarno Soewandi, Sri Lankan Commerce Minister Ravi Karunanyake, Turkey's Industry and Trade Minister Ali Coskun, Governor of Japan Bank for International Cooperation Syosuke Shinozawa, Executive Secretary of UN ESCAP Dr Kim Hak-Su, ICC chairman Jean-Rene Fourtou, ICC Vice-Chairman Yong Sung Park, ICC secretary general Maria Livanos Cattaui, Bangladesh Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan and Commerce Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.