June 2025
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April 2025
"BIMSTEC serves as a vital bridge between South and Southeast Asia, and is emerging as a powerful platform for advancing regional connectivity, cooperation, and shared prosperity," said India Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech at the BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok, Thailand.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Energy Cooperation, Maritime Transport, Regional Cooperation
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August 2024
Southeast and South Asia are two of the most dynamic and fastest growing regions in the world. Increasing integration between the two regions requires increased cooperation between regional institutions. BIMSTEC can enhance its implementation record and delivery by increasing cooperation with SASEC in areas where SASEC excels, such as in connectivity, economic corridor development, trade facilitation, tourism, and green energy.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation, SAARC, SASEC, South Asia, Southeast Asia
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July 2024
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers' Retreat drew to a close on 11-12 July 2024, as foreign ministers gathered to strengthen cooperation among the BIMSTEC member countries. Mr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India External Affairs Minister, lauded the retreat, describing it as "productive" and the meetings "highly useful."
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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, BIMSTEC, Energy, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Regional Cooperation, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trade
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June 2024
Speaking at the 27th anniversary of inception of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal says Nepal is committed to work for the well-being of the peoples of the BIMSTEC region. Prime Minister Dahal said regional cooperation is the key to the stability and economic prosperity in today’s complex, interconnected world.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Nepal, Regional Cooperation
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May 2024
To support the BIMSTEC region in developing an efficient transport network and develop infrastructure, BIMSTEC member countries adopted the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity in March 2022. The plan identifies 267 transport projects requiring about $124.4 billion in investments from 2018 to 2028. This article appears on the Development Asia website.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation, Transport
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May 2024
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Charter officially came into force on 20 May 2024. This development marks a crucial step forward for the regional organization, opening up new avenues for collaboration and growth.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation
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December 2023
The article, “BIMSTEC's energy landscape: Present achievements and future aspirations,” published in the Financial Express, examines why the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a formidable option for bolstering energy cooperation and addressing the energy needs of its member states.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Energy
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June 2023
The BIMSTEC Business Conclave brought together business leaders and entrepreneurs from the BIMSTEC region. During the meeting, participants from the business sector highlighted the need to develop the Bhutan-Siliguri (India)-Bangladesh corridor. Siliguri in northern West Bengal, India, is strategically placed to boost trade in the region.
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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, BIMSTEC, India, Transport
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September 2022
Promote remote processing of cargo clearances and modernize border facilities to improve intraregional trade in BIMSTEC. This article appears on Development Asia.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Trade Facilitation
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April 2022
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) held the 3rd Meeting of the BIMSTEC Energy Ministers on 20 April 2022. Energy ministers from BIMSTEC countries adopted a joint statement calling for greater energy cooperation in the region.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Energy, Regional Cooperation
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March 2022
The Fifth Summit of Heads of State/ Government of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) adopted the BIMSTEC Charter and the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity. The Summit was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 30 March 2022.
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Tags: ADB, BIMSTEC, Transport
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March 2022
Mr. Thiam Hee Ng, Director, South Asia Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division, Asian Development Bank (ADB), visited the BIMSTEC Secretariat to discuss a range of issues related to the broadening of ADB-BIMSTEC partnership. He also visited the SAARC Secretariat to review the implementation status of the activities under the MoU between ADB and SAARC.
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Tags: ADB, BIMSTEC, SAARC
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March 2022
The South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) hosted the 2nd Bay of Bengal Economic Dialogue 2022 on 11-12 March 2022. The session on Infrastructure Connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region noted the need to invest in other forms of infrastructure.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Connectivity
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January 2022
The Indian Chamber of Commerce organized "Integrating BIMSTEC 2022," in collaboration with the Government of India, on the importance of creating a common platform for BIMSTEC countries to participate and carry forward paperless trade.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Trade Facilitation
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December 2021
The Ministry of Transport of Thailand has released a route map for its national shipping line. The route is part of the country's plan to connect the Southern Economic Corridor with a land bridge linking Chumphon on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand to Ranong on the Andaman Sea, which will serve as a transit port connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Economic Corridor Development, Thailand
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December 2021
Mr. Tenzin Lekphell, Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), paid a courtesy call on Mr. Gamini Lakshman Peiris, Foreign Minister of the Government of Sri Lanka. Mr. Peiris assured Mr. Lekphell of Sri Lanka's commitment to furthering BIMSTEC goals in the region.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation, Sri Lanka
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October 2021
The Government of India has urged BIMSTEC member countries to collectively develop a strategy for financing and implementing the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity. Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary of the Government of India, noted that work on this matter has already started with the first consultative workshop on financing of the Master Plan organized by ADB.
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Tags: ADB, BIMSTEC, Transport
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September 2021
Increasing transport connectivity is key to regional integration and intraregional trade, according to Mr. Dongxiang Li, Lead Regional Cooperation Specialist, South Asia Department, Asian Development Bank. He said the development of a regional framework is needed to harmonize policy, procedures, and practice among countries in the Bay of Bengal subregion.
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Tags: BBIN, BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation, Transport
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June 2021
Member states of the Bay of Bengal Initiatives for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) should "continue to deepen cooperation to address the region's challenges and to seize the many opportunities for shared progress," said Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 6 June 2021 during the 24th anniversary of BIMSTEC.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, COVID-19, Regional Cooperation, Sri Lanka
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June 2021
Heads of the member states of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) commemorated the 24th BIMSTEC Day on 6 June 2021 with messages that pledged to cooperate with each other in the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and to overcome its consequences. They also conveyed wishes for peace and prosperity of the region in separate messages.
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Tags: BIMSTEC
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April 2021
Enhancing transport and trade linkages between and across the countries in the Bay of Bengal region requires a strategic master plan. The master plan will guide the countries' actions and build on synergies among various connectivity frameworks. This commentary appears on the Development Asia website.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation, Trade Facilitation, Transport
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April 2021
Foreign Ministers of the Bay of Bengal Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) grouping finalized the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity at the 17th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting held on 1 April 2021. The master plan will be endorsed for adoption in the next BIMSTEC summit to be hosted by the Government of Sri Lanka later this year.
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Tags: ADB, BIMSTEC, Trade Facilitation, Transport
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September 2020
The 21st Session of the BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) convened foreign secretaries and senior officials of the BIMSTEC Member States. The virtual meeting approved the memorandum of understanding between the BIMSTEC Secretariat and the Asian Development Bank for greater project support in the BIMSTEC region.
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Tags: ADB, BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation
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June 2020
Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation nations need to be prepared for imminent shifts in global manufacturing that may occur following policy changes to respond to the COVID-19 global health crisis.
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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, BIMSTEC, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade
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June 2020
Leaders and foreign ministers of BIMSTEC member states and the BIMSTEC Secretary General expressed their felicitations on the occasion of BIMSTEC Day 2020, and reaffirmed their commitment to building cooperation and increasing resilience through the interregional organization amidst the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Connectivity, Covid19
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February 2020
Policymakers and experts have begun discussions on the creation of a regional power grid for Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) member countries.
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Tags: Bangladesh, BIMSTEC, Cooperation, Energy, Nepal
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December 2019
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October 2019
The BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee (BPWC) discussed rationalizing the organization’s areas of cooperation and the draft memorandum of understanding to be signed with the Asian Development Bank at the BPWC meeting in Colombo. Mr. Ravinatha Aryasinha, Foreign Secretary of the Government of Sri Lanka, emphasized that for Sri Lanka, early finalization of the BIMSTEC Charter and rationalization of the sectors are crucial to re-energize the organization.
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Tags: ADB, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation, Sri Lanka, Trade
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August 2019
Thailand and India have signed a memorandum of understanding that will promote a new maritime route between Thailand’s Ranong Port and India’s Krishnapatnam Port. The deal is part of Thailand’s policy to strengthen trade with Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka under the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) framework.
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Tags: Bangladesh, BIMSTEC, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trade
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August 2018
The Government of Nepal hosted the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit on 30-31 August 2018 in Kathmandu, Nepal, with participation of all BIMSTEC member countries. The Summit, in its Declaration, committed to deliver results in various sectors of cooperation, including poverty alleviation, connectivity, trade and investment, people-to-people contact, and tourism.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Connectivity, Regional Cooperation, Trade
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August 2018
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli agreed to take Bangladesh-Nepal cooperation in the energy sector to the next level. Mr. Ihsanul Karim, Bangladesh Press Secretary, reported that the two Prime Ministers discussed enhancing cooperation in the power sector, and agreed on the need to sign a memorandum of understanding to enable power trade.
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Tags: Bangladesh, BIMSTEC, Energy, Nepal
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August 2018
Foreign Ministers of BIMSTEC member countries approved in principle around
167 projects to improve connectivity in the region. The projects, detailed
in a study by the Asian Development Bank, are worth an estimated $50
billion. It includes transportation and cross-border facilitation,
multimodal transport and logistics, infrastructure development, aviation,
maritime transport, human resources development, communication linkages, and
networking in the region.
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Tags: Aviation, BIMSTEC, Connectivity, Logistics, Transport
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August 2018
A preparation meeting for the fourth BIMSTEC summit discussed how BIMSTEC can catalyze regional economic development in the next twenty years. BIMSTEC heads of missions emphasized the need to conclude negotiations for the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement, and finalize trade facilitation measures in the BIMSTEC region.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Free Trade Agreement, Trade Facilitation
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May 2018
The BIMSTEC Working Group on Customs Cooperation held its first meeting on 10-11 May 2018 in New Dehi, India. The Meeting discussed progress in customs cooperation among BIMSTEC countries, and finalized the draft text of the 'Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters' for the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area.
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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, BIMSTEC, Customs, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trade
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March 2018
The BIMSTEC conference, "BIMSTEC at its 20: Towards a Bay of Bengal Community" convened scholars, think-tanks, government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and other stakeholders from BIMSTEC member countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—to take stock of the inter-regional organization's achievements and milestones, and aimed to chart a new direction for the future. It examined the potential and challenges of the BIMSTEC region.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Trade
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January 2018
Rapid economic growth and increasing populations pose challenges to the South Asian region’s energy security. Increasing energy cooperation among South Asian countries will help ensure access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for the entire region.
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Tags: Bangladesh, BBIN, Bhutan, BIMSTEC, Energy, Hydropower, India, Regional Cooperation, SAARC
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December 2017
In her keynote address at the dialogue on BiMSTEC at 20—Priorities for the Future, Ms. Grace Asirwatham, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka, reflects on the prospects for connectivity and prosperity among BIMSTEC member countries and explores the organization's priorities, including trade, transport, energy, and climate change.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Energy, Sri Lanka, Trade, Transport
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November 2017
The Second Meeting of the BIMSTEC Transport Connectivity Working Group discussed the BIMSTEC Master Plan on Transport Connectivity. The Master Plan is envisaged to provide an overarching framework for BIMSTEC in enhancing transport connectivity among its member countries.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Connectivity, Transport
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November 2017
Nepal has decided to join the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) grid interconnection, a move meant to help facilitate trade in electricity and take full advantage of available energy sources. Nepal is expected to sign an MOU to join the grid interconnection at the Third BIMSTEC Energy Ministers' Meeting.
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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, BIMSTEC, Energy, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trade Facilitation
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September 2017
Mr. Prashant Agrawal, Indian Ministry of External Affairs' Joint Secretary, BIMSTEC and SAARC, said BIMSTEC countries are likely to finalize motor vehicle and coastal shipping agreements in the next few months. BIMSTEC member countries are negotiating framework agreements in regional cooperation in 14 areas, including trade, transport, energy, climate change, and poverty alleviation.
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Tags: BIMSTEC
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September 2017
A roundtable discussion held in Myanmar noted the need to substantially increase connectivity, trade and diplomatic relations between Myanmar and India. Officials from the two countries participated in the India-Myanmar Dialogue: Act East Policy and India-Myanmar Relations, held on 2 September 2017 in Yangon, Myanmar. The forum was organized by Parami Roundtable and Mizzima Media Group.
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Tags: ASEAN, BIMSTEC, Connectivity, India, Myanmar, Trade
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August 2017
The 18th session of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Senior Officials' Meeting and the 15th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting stressed the importance of cooperation in energy, technology, trade, and transport, through a revitalized, more integrated, and stronger BIMSTEC process. The Joint Statement underscored the need to finalize the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area Agreement.
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Tags: Bangladesh, BIMSTEC, Energy, Free Trade Agreement, Nepal, Regional Cooperation, Technology, Trade, Transport
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June 2017
The Government of India has proposed application of its "Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik" (UDAN) or "Common People of the Country can Fly" policy among member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). An enabling regional connectivity policy could help attract high value economic agents, business travelers, and tourists.
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Tags: Bhutan, BIMSTEC, Connectivity, India, Myanmar, Regional Cooperation, Transport
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May 2017
The Secretary General of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) advised member countries to look at regional cooperation in a pragmatic way, with efforts to build regional cooperation focusing on achieving practical results, at the conference marking BIMSTEC’s 20th anniversary.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Connectivity, Regional Cooperation, Trade Facilitation, Transport
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April 2017
India's Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the ratification of the MOU for the Establishment of the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection. The MOU is expected to be signed at the next BIMSTEC Energy Minsters' Meeting and provides a broad framework for energy trade among BIMSTEC member countries.
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Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, BIMSTEC, Connectivity, Energy, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand
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April 2017
The BIMSTEC region hosts 21% of the world’s population and holds great potential for trade. Experts at the Conference on Facilitating Connectivity in Bay of Bengal Region held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, stressed the importance of regional connectivity for BIMSTEC to succeed and to facilitate economic growth among BIMSTEC member countries.
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Tags: ASEAN, Bangladesh, BIMSTEC, Cooperation, Regional Cooperation, SAARC
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March 2017
The Eighth BIMSTEC Roundtable Meeting tackled “Rewriting the Rulebook of Regional Connectivity,” emphasizing the need to resolve border-related trade barriers through coordination of government policies across Asia, including Customs procedures and clearance of goods, to unlock the vibrancy of the Asian Highway and reduce the cost of doing business.
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Tags: Bangladesh, BIMSTEC, Customs, Ease of Doing Business, ICT, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Trade, Transport
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January 2017
The Government of Sri Lanka aims to attract $50 billion in foreign investment in the next 5-10 years to help develop infrastructure, and boost exports to $20 billion by 2020. This year, Sri Lanka expects to sign free-trade deals with India, Singapore, and China.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, China, Exports, Free Trade Agreement, India, Sri Lanka, Tourism
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October 2016
Mr. Romi Gauchan Thakali, Minister for Commerce, Nepal, emphasized the need to finalize and implement the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Free Trade Area (FTA) Framework Agreement, to help boost growth among least developed and developing nations in South and Southeast Asia. He also highlighted implementation of the BIMSTEC Transport Infrastructure and Logistics Study.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Nepal, Trade, Transport
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October 2016
Bangladesh and Nepal officials have emphasized the need to both hasten and deepen integration among South Asian countries through the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the region must work to finalize BIMSTEC Free Trade Area Framework Agreement deals to boost trade in the region. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal stated that BIMSTEC can be a dynamic engine for growth and development.
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Tags: Bangladesh, BIMSTEC, Free Trade Agreement, Nepal, Regional Cooperation
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September 2016
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) share the responsibility to shape an agenda to help developing nations. He also spoke of the need to deepen ties with Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, BRICS, India, Regional Cooperation
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July 2016
The BIMSTEC free trade agreement (FTA) currently under negotiation by the inter-regional organization could benefit the region's trade by helping operationalize production links among member countries and eliminating non-tariff measures within a mutually agreed timeframe. BIMSTEC members are also considering a single visa proposal and extension of the BBIN transport agreement to Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Free Trade Agreement, Sri Lanka, Transport
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March 2015
Senior officials of BIMSTEC countries have finalized a draft deal to set up grid connectivity, allowing its seven member countries to share their surplus electricity with each other. The draft deal came out of the 5th Meeting of the BIMSTEC Task Force on Trans-Power Exchange, and provides a broad framework for grid interconnections across the region. It is estimated that the seven BIMSTEC countries have a combined hydropower potential of about 290,000 MW.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Energy, Regional Cooperation
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February 2015
Mr. Saurabh Kaushik, research intern for the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, examines the trend toward subregional cooperation in South Asia. He traces the reasons for lack of significant outcomes of subregional groupings in the region, and discusses the “silver linings” on the horizon, including projects being supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the SASEC program.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, IBM-SRC, SAARC, Trade
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September 2014
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Secretariat headquarters was formally opened on 13 September 2014 in Dhaka, Bangladesh with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina leading the inaugural ceremonies.
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Tags: Bangladesh, BIMSTEC, Technical Assistance, Transport
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March 2014
BIMSTEC senior officials visited the Myawaddy-Kawkareik Road Project in Myanmar on 20 March 2014, at the southeastern end of the Trilateral Highway connecting India, Myanmar and Thailand. The $38 million Government of Thailand-financed project is upgrading and constructing 45.5 kilometers of national highway, and rehabilitating the Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Bridge.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Connectivity, Transport
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March 2014
The Third Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit of Leaders and related events was held on 1-4 March 2014 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. Member States – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Sri Lanka – strengthened their resolve to jointly promote rapid economic development, and accelerate social progress in the sub-region.
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Tags: BIMSTEC, Trade, Transport
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