Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi has pledged to support the integration of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) region to help accelerate economic growth and social progress among BIMSTEC member countries. BIMSTEC member countries comprise Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Secretary General Suu Kyi issued the message on 8 June 2017 to mark BIMSTEC’s 20th anniversary. "With its geographical position as a land bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia, Myanmar shall continue to participate in the regional integration process to actively fulfill the objectives of the region and meet the aspirations of the people of BIMSTEC," she said.

The message congratulated BIMSTEC for the progress it has made since inception, noting that much "remains to be done by the peoples and governments of BIMSTEC to achieve their goals of peace, progress, and prosperity.”

BIMSTEC is home to 1.5 billion people, with a combined gross domestic product of $2.7 trillion. It has established a platform for intra-regional cooperation between members of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Related Links:

• Aung San Suu Kyi pledges Myanmar's active participation in BIMSTEC integration process
• Messages from Member States, [06 June, BIMSTEC-Day-2017]