ICC-B President Mahbubur Rahman said this at a press conference at Dhaka Club yesterday. Vice-president ASM Quasem was also present.

The ICC- B president said Lamy is responsible for all trade negotiations including WTO on behalf of EU, the 2nd largest trade and development partner of Bangladesh.

Rahman hoped that the conference titled 'Global Economic Governance and Challenges of Multilateralism' will be very fruitful, as it will be attended by several government and business leaders to talk on global trade.

He also hoped that all the trade ministers and business leaders meeting in Dhaka conference will be a recovery from Cancun hangover and may indicate ways for restarting the multilateral trade negotiations.

The Dhaka meeting is also expected to inject the much-needed momentum in to the ongoing negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) and, in particular, market accesses commitments as well as capacity building for the least developed countries.

The conference will be inaugurated by Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and will bring together over 300 delegates from 30 to 40 countries from Asia, Africa, Europe and Pacific.

Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister of India IK Gujral and WTO Director General Supachai Panitchpakdi will also participate in the opening session to share their thoughts on what is required to revitalise global trade talks.

Trade ministers from Turkey, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia have already confirmed their participation at the conference, the ICC- B president said.